Topic: 2025 – Situation in Mali
Country: Guyana
Delegate Name: Devinicus Wong
Since 2014, the conflict in Mali has undeniably worsened. The unending violence between the national government, the MNLA, the JNIM, and other minor groups has caused widespread devastation in the area, killing thirteen thousand and displacing at least six-hundred thousand civilians. The withdrawal of forces from the UN peacekeeping mission to the nation, the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), has only exacerbated the bloodshed. Reports of human rights abuses, the spread of terrorist groups, and the poor humanitarian situation all remain major issues resulting from this conflict. As such, the delegation of Guyana believes it to be imperative that further action is taken on this issue.
Although the MINUSMA mission has ended, the United Nations retains a presence in Mali through organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in order to bolster economic and humanitarian efforts in the nation. With this, though, comes the continued risk of UN personnel being harmed as a result of the ongoing conflict. Guyana has advocated unwaveringly for the adoption of additional protections for UN staff working in active conflict zones and has voted in the UN accordingly. In 2004, Guyana acceded to the Convention of the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, which implemented guidelines for nations to enhance the security of UN staff working inside their borders. Additionally, Guyana voted to pass Resolution 2730, which increased protections of UN personnel, and it is a party to both the 1977 and 2005 Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions, which furthered protections for religious and medical workers. Along with this, the delegation of Guyana is also concerned with the spread of terrorism in the nation. Guyana has worked extensively to curb the growth of terrorism and terrorist ideology worldwide. In 2007, Guyana made its position on the matter clear by ratifying both the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism. These treaties seek to limit the growth of terrorism by improving nations’ capacity to detect and eliminate terrorist funding and by enhancing regional cooperation against the threat.
While the conflict at large remains difficult to resolve, the delegation of Guyana firmly believes that with global cooperation, some of the negative effects of the war can be minimized. We strongly urge nations that have not yet ratified the aforementioned treaties to do so in a swift and timely manner and join us in our efforts to protect those living in Mali and in other war-torn regions across the globe. The sheer amount of destruction caused has been devastating, but with international support, we firmly believe that at least some of the violence can be halted, and we will continue to strive with our global allies for a safer future.
Works Cited:
https://docs.un.org/en/S/RES/2730(2024)
https://www.minfor.gov.gy/un-security-council/statement-delivered-her-excellency-ambassador-carolyn-rodrigues-birkett-0
https://www.minfor.gov.gy/un-security-council/statement-he-carolyn-rodrigues-birkett-permanent-representative-guyana-un-10
https://www.oas.org/juridico/english/treaties/a-66.html
https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XVIII-8&chapter=18
https://press.un.org/en/2023/sgsm22100.doc.htm
https://www.un.org/en/ga/sixth/80/int_terrorism/guyana_e.pdf
https://www.un.org/en/un-department-safety-and-security/security-council-adopts-resolution-safety-and-security
https://www.un.org/law/cod/finterr.htm
https://www.undp.org/stories/policing-people
https://www.unhcr.org/us/where-we-work/countries/mali
