UN Envoy Calls For Peace Dividend For Mali

Posted by African Examiner African News, Latest Headlines Wednesday, June 24th, 2015

The top U.N. envoy to Mali asked the Security Council on Tuesday to provide the country with a “peace dividend” following last week’s peace agreement with Tuareg rebels.

Mongi Hamdi called on the council to quickly approve funds for water, electricity and schools for Malians.

Hamdi said re-establishing basic social services is crucial as thousands of refugees start to return home.

He said reconstruction in Mali would be more difficult than destruction, saying cease-fire violations in the north were a “stark reminder of the complexity and unpredictability of the security environment.”

Hamdi said northern Mali’s “size, geographical environment, harsh climate and extremely poor or nonexistent infrastructure” pose significant challenges for the U.N. peacekeeping mission.

VOA