Russia intends to continue supporting Mali in humanitarian area, improvement of military training and overcoming the consequences of food and energy crises. This was stated on Friday at the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva by the Russian delegation, which stressed that the African country faces challenges in the field of human rights, and the progress in this area is hampered by the activity of terrorist groups.
Moscow notes Mali's desire to stabilize the internal political situation, solve acute socio-political problems and hold elections at all levels before February 2024, Artur Chernyakov, a representative of the Russian delegation, said in a speech at the session. "Russia intends to continue providing comprehensive support to the country on a bilateral basis, including in the humanitarian sphere, in improving the level of training of the armed forces and law enforcement officers, as well as in helping to overcome the negative consequences of the food and energy crises," the diplomat said.
Given the transitional period Mali "faces challenges in the field of human rights," he said, stressing that progress in this area is hindered by the activity of terrorist groups associated with the Islamic State group (IS, banned in Russia). According to Chernyakov, withdrawal of French units from Mali and decisions of Great Britain, Germany and Sweden to curtail activity of peacekeeping contingents without consulting the host country "do not add optimism. In turn, the planned cancellation of French funding "will worsen the humanitarian situation in Mali, where about 2 million people need food."
Russia regretfully notes "attempts by Benelux, the US and UK to discredit in their statements the authorities of Mali", using the practice of condemning this country for human rights violations allegedly with the participation of Russian instructors. "We firmly reject all accusations against Russian representatives. They are present in Mali on the basis of bilateral agreements," the diplomat recalled. "We are convinced that in the current situation it is necessary to help the Malian authorities and not to dictate their line of conduct," Chernyakov summarized.
The 52nd session of the HRC is taking place in Geneva from February 27 to April 4. Russia is not a member of the council, but actively participates in its meetings.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from TASS