Special Representative, Bert Koenders, has appealed for more resources for MINUSMA.

The United Nations has appealed for more troops and equipment for its peacekeeping force in Mali, the BBC reported on Wednesday, October 16, 2013. Addressing the UN Security Council in New York, USA, Bert Koenders, the UN's Special Representative to Mali, said recent militant attacks in the north were a wake-up call.

He said the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali, MINUSMA, peacekeeping force was faced with numerous challenges such as more men and helicopters to facilitate rapid deployment and access to remote areas to ensure the protection of civilians. He added that the deployment of more troops needed to be accelerated. The force, which took over security duties last July, has less than half of its mandated strength of more than 12,000 military personnel.

The UN News Centre website quoted Koenders as saying that the new Malian authorities were confronted with numerous challenges that needed to be addressed urgently to enable the people live in security and benefit from the dividends of peace and democracy. He acknowledged that Malians have clearly signalled their desire to turn the page following the troubling events of the recent past.  

In spite of this progress, priorities such as national reconciliation, the conduct of legislative elections, the start of inclusive peace negotiations to deal with the deep-rooted causes of the Malian crisis, restoration of the authority of the State, and the consolidation of security throughout the whole territory, still needed to be dealt with.

Since early 2012, Mali has witnessed a military coup d’état, renewed fighting between government forces and Tuareg rebels, and the seizure of its northern territory by radical Islamists. However, a successful poll was conducted last summer during which Boubacar Keita was elected President. Legislative elections are due for November 24, 2013, while the second round is scheduled for December 15, 2013.