Panafrican News Agency

MINUSMA spokesperson ordered to leave Mali within 72 hours

Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The spokesperson for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), Olivier Salgado, has 72 hours to leave the country, a statement from the Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said here Wednesday.

It notified the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Mali, Daniela Kroslak, of the decision.

"This measure follows a series of biased and unacceptable publications by the person concerned on the social network Twitter stating, without any proof, that the Malian authorities had been previously informed of the arrival of 49 Ivorian soldiers by civilian flight at the international airport of President Modibo Keita on Sunday, 10 July 2022," the statement said.

It added that Daniela Kroslak was received on Wednesday, 20 July 2022, by the Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop.

The statement said that "an official request has been sent to the MINUSMA spokesman, through his hierarchy, since 12 July 2022, to provide proof of the statements contained in his tweet or, if not, to make the necessary correction, in the same form.

This request, according to the statement, has "remained unanswered".

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation cannot remain silent about these actions, which undermine the partnership with MINUSMA and other partners," the statement added.

It reiterated "Mali's constant readiness to maintain dialogue and pursue cooperation with all its international partners, including MINUSMA, in a spirit of solidarity, complementarity and mutual respect.

As a reminder, 49 Ivorian soldiers accused of being "mercenaries" by the Malian authorities were arrested on 10 July at Bamako-Sénou airport, shortly after their arrival in Mali.

This was denied by the Ivorian authorities who claimed that the presence of this convoy was legal and came in support of MINUSMA.

While the Togolese minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Dussey, was in Bamako last Monday to find a solution to this crisis between the two neighbouring countries, the Attorney General of the Court of Appeal in Bamako opened a judicial enquiry on Tuesday to "shed light" on this case.

-0- PANA GT/IS/BBA/RA 20July2022