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Mali: UNHCR Operational Update, November 2017

Attachments

Mali continues to face a volatile security situation amid growing threats of terrorism, criminality and intercommunity tensions in the northern and central regions.

Local populations face important protection risks amid limited access to public services, documentation, shelter, water, education and food security.

Despite significant challenges, the implementation of the Peace and Reconciliation Accord advances slowly in order to re-establish peace and security in the region.

KEY INDICATORS

29 Households (99 individuals) were voluntarily repatriated to their country of origin, Cote d’Ivoire.

5,110 Returnees received cash grants on an annual target of 5,391.

1,071 Birth certificates distributed to Mauritanian refugees in the Kayes region since beginning of the year.

Update on Achievements

Operational Context

■ The security situation in Mali remains volatile with threats of terrorism, criminality and intercommunity violence in the north and central regions impacting the protection environment for civilians and limiting humanitarian access. Violation of human rights continue to be recorded with local populations facing limited access to public services, documentation, water, education and food security.

■ The humanitarian aid is frequently blocked or slowed down due to the security situation notably in the center and northern region of the Mali. Aid workers often face issues when planning or attempting to reach local populations to provide the required assistance.

■ On 4 November, multinational force G5 Sahel conducted its first operation. The objective of this mission, named “Hawbi”, is to symbolize the joint force’s first activity, despite that theirs is not real military issue. This raises hope among the populations in the areas mainly affected by the activities of extremist elements and acts of crime.

■ On 9 November, the Special Representative of the Secretary General in Mali, Mr. Annadif, met the members of the specialized committees of the National Assembly, during an exchange and information session at the National Assembly of Mali, held under the chairmanship of the First Vice-President of the National Assembly. The United Nations country team participated in the session. At the request of parliamentarians, UNHCR Representative Ms. Angele Djohossou reported on the situation of displaced, repatriated and displaced Malians in the region, and on the reintegration of returnees in the center and north of the country.

■ On November 11, the “Coordination des Mouvements de l’Entente” (Agreement Movement’s Coordination) was established. The project is the fusion of several dissenting movements of the Coordination and the Platform. Its purpose is the inclusion of all armed groups in the implementation of the 2015 Peace Agreement.

■ Mali's Justice Minister resigned on 27th November from its functions. This resignation intervenes following the acquittal of the popular radio presenter and activist known as Ras Bath, whose arrest of few months ago had generated public discontent and violence in Bamako.

■ On 2 November, 29 households (99 refugees and asylum seekers) were repatriated to their country of origin, Cote d'Ivoire. This voluntary repatriation was made possible through collaboration between UNHCR and the National Refugee Commission (CNCR). The main destinations were Abidjan, Korhogo, Bouake and Abengourou. In total, since the beginning of the year, 493 persons have been repatriated to Cote d’Ivoire.

■ On 2 November, the UNHCR Representation in Mali signed a funding agreement of CHF 400,000 with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in Mali to strengthen protection monitoring in central and northern Mali, thus strengthening the protection