Search Results for: Mali

Water scarcity is a growing problem. It can be demand-driven, typically caused by population growth, and supply-driven, typically caused by decreasing amounts of fresh water often resulting from climate change or a result of societal factors such as poverty. If it is allowed to reach dangerous levels, water scarcity has the potential to trigger conflicts. [...]

In a press release Tuesday morning, UN experts called for an investigation into potential crimes against humanity committed in Mali by both government forces and the Russian paramilitary organization called the “Wagner Group.” The release stated that human rights experts at the UN have received increasingly alarming accounts of executions, mass graves, torture, sexual violence, [...]

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Thursday announced sanctions against eight individuals, 16 entities and four aircraft affiliated with “transnational criminal organization” the Wagner Group (PMC Wagner). In order to undermine Russia’s capacity to wage war against Ukraine, the sanctions target entities that support PMC Wagner and the production [...]

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation (MIF) Wednesday released its 2022 Index of African Governance, noting that governance across the African continent has “flatlined” since 2019. The report cited deteriorating security and movements to undermine the rule of law as reasons for the stagnation, and warned the lack of progress could seriously jeopardize the African Union’s Agenda [...]

US Deputy Representative to the United Nations Richard Mills Tuesday accused the Russian-backed paramilitary organization Wagner group of exacerbating instability in West Africa in a statement given to the UN Security Council. Accusing the Wagner group of violating human rights, Mills stated: The Kremlin-backed Wagner Group is interfering in African countries’ internal affairs, robbing them [...]

A Mali court Saturday sentenced 46 Ivory Coast soldiers to 20 years in prison for conspiring against the government, according to Mali Attorney General Ladji Sara. Another three soldiers were sentenced to death, despite being absent from the trial. The court found the soldiers guilty of “attacking and plotting against the government,” “undermining the external [...]

In 2013, the United Nations (UN) established the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to address conflict in the Sahel region. Support for MINUSMA, the deadliest UN mission, has declined, especially after Western leaders have increasingly focused on the Russian intervention in Ukraine. In fact, several Western countries have announced their withdrawal from MUNUSMA, [...]

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Thursday released their annual report summarizing violence and abuse against journalists. The organization reports that a total of 533 journalists are currently detained because of their work, 65 are held hostage and another 57 have been killed in the past year. RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire said of the report’s findings: This [...]

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Monday announced in a press conference that it lifted sanctions on Mali and Burkina Faso. ECOWAS previously imposed economic sanctions on both states in January due to political coups, turmoil and concerns over the loss of democratic rule. The sanctions were lifted after the Junta agreed to [...]

Guinea’s former president, Alpha Conde, was released from house arrest last week. Conde was removed from office by the army in September 2021, and he was temporarily replaced by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya. In January, Doumbouya announced the establishment of an 81-member National Council of Transition (CNT) to serve as the country’s parliament and legislate during [...]