International News
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says more children and women were abducted for ransom between January and August 2021 than during the entire 2020. UNICEF estimates based on official sources say 71 women and 30 children were abducted in the first eight months of 2021, and 59 women and 37 children in 2020.
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council resident Martin Kimani (Kenya):
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary‑General António Guterres:
The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017) concerning Mali calls on all Member States to take the necessary measures to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories of individuals designated by the Committee, in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 of the aforementioned resolution.
The Security Council today renewed until 31 August 2022 the travel ban and asset freeze imposed through resolution 2374 (2017) against individuals and entities obstructing implementation of the 2015 Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
On 23 July 2021, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017) concerning Mali held informal consultations to hear a virtual presentation by the Panel of Experts on Mali in connection with the Panel’s final report, which was submitted to the Committee in accordance with paragraph 4 of resolution 2541 (2020).
The Security Council today decided to renew the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) until 30 June 2022, and to task the Mission with supporting the country’s political transition ahead of presidential and legislative elections slated for 27 February 2022.
In the wake of the second military takeover in nine months, strong international support is needed to ameliorate the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Mali, the top United Nations official in the country told the Security Council today, amid calls for the transitional Government to facilitate free, fair elections by February 2022 so that Malians can assume responsibility for national stability.
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Zhang Jun (China):