The Malian interim government on Sunday said the head of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission’s human rights division had 48 hours to leave the country as he had been declared persona non grata.
In a statement, it said the decision to expel Guillaume Ngefa-Atondoko Andali was connected to his allegedly biased choice of civil society witnesses for UN Security Council briefings on Mali, the most recent of which was held on January 27. The UN mission in Mali MINUSMA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Andali could not be reached for comment.
The Malian authorities have come under pressure for alleged human rights violations and abuses reportedly perpetrated by Malian armed forces in partnership with the Russian private military contractor Wagner Group in Mali.
On January 31, UN experts called for an independent investigation into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity by both these forces.
The Malian government, which took power in a 2021 military coup, on Saturday released a statement that pushed back against some of the UN allegations and emphasized the authorities’ commitment to respecting human rights in accordance with international and national law.
Source: SABC
In other news – Zakes Bantwini, Wouter Kellerman & Nomcebo Zikode win big at 2023 Grammy Awards
South African singer, record producer, and businessman, Zakes Bantwini, Wouter Kellerman, and Nomcebo Zikode have done South Africa proud at the 65th annual Grammy Awards.
Their win follows last year’s Grammy won by DJ Black Coffee for the Best Dance/Electronic Album. This is Kellerman’s fourth Grammy, while it’s a first for both Bantwini and Zikode. Learn more
