Secretary-General Calls for Immediate Cessation of Hostilities, Ceasefire Violations during Critical Juncture in Mali Peace Process

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in northern Mali.

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the serious ceasefire violations that have occurred in Mali in recent days, at a critical moment in the peace process and as efforts are under way to bring all Malian parties to sign the draft peace agreement.

On 27 April, Groupe Auto-défense Touareg Imghad et Alliés and Mouvement Arabe de l’Azawad — Plateforme elements entered the town of Ménaka (Gao region), which, under ceasefire arrangements, is under the control of the Mouvement National de Libération de l'Azawad.  Fighting continued in the vicinity of Ménaka on 28 April.

On 29 April, Coordination des Mouvements de l’Azawad elements attacked Malian National Guard quarters in Goundam (Timbuktu region), killing two National Guards and one child.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali, Mongi Hamdi, and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Mali, MINUSMA, are engaging with all parties to de-escalate tensions and encourage continued dialogue.

The Secretary-General urges the parties to demonstrate their commitment to the peace process and adhere to their obligations under the cease fire agreement of 23 May 2014, and the declarations of cessation of hostilities of 24 July 2014 and 19 February 2015.