The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINUSMA, Mr. Mongi Hamdi, met with the Minister of Solidarity, Humanitarian Action and Reconstruction of the North, Mr. Hamadou Konaté, this morning.

They discussed the need to ensure that peace dividends materialize on the ground as soon as possible to improve the living conditions of the population and to strengthen Malians’ confidence in the implementation of the Peace Agreement through concrete and tangible actions. The Head of MINUSMA and the Minister agreed upon the establishment of a Task Force to identify priority projects in this area.

Mr. Hamdi also addressed the situation on the ground, and particularly in the regions of the north, with his interlocutor. The Special Representative and the Malian Minister agreed on the need to work together to ease tensions. They stressed the importance for all parties to respect their obligations in accordance with the Peace Agreement and to comply with human rights law.

They agreed on the need to rapidly advance in the implementation of confidence-building measures between the parties to the Agreement, in particular the release of detainees. The Head of MINUSMA assured the Minister that the Mission stands ready to ensure the transport of individuals who are not suspected of being implicated in acts of terrorism or grave violations of human rights.