U.S. CONDEMNS VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN MALI

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Violence and Human Rights Violations in Mali
Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Department Spokesperson
Washington, DC
May 23, 2015

The United States condemns the ongoing violence in northern Mali, including reports of summary executions of civilians in Tin Hama, and other human rights abuses and violations. We call on all parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law, recommit to applicable cease-fire agreements and begin implementation of the May 15 Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. The United States reiterates its strong support for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and calls for the investigation of these alleged human rights violations, to ensure perpetrators are held accountable.

U.S. DOD OFFICIAL TELLS CONGRESS NORTHERN MALI HAS BECOME A TERRORIST HAVEN

Map:  Mali.  Credit:  CIA World Factbook. 

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Dory: Northern Mali a Terrorist Safe Haven
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2012 – Northern Mali has become a terrorist haven, and DOD will continue to work with local African nations and regional organizations to isolate and degrade the threat emanating from the area, a senior defense official told Congress today.

Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and its affiliates are using northern Mali as a safe haven, Amanda J. Dory, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for African affairs, said during testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The terror groups have established administrative centers and training bases in the area, Dory said.

"Our approach is to support Mali’s neighbors, to isolate the terrorist threat and to enable [the Economic Community of West African States] and others to degrade AQIM while working to restore Malian sovereignty," she said.

DOD and interagency partners are working closely together to help this local and regional effort, Dory said.

In late March, the Malian military launched a coup against the government. Regional nations and the U.S. initially imposed sanctions against the military junta. While local nations have recognized the interim government, the United States has not. The U.S. military cannot legally provide aid to any government deposed by a military coup.

Northern Mali is a center for illicit trafficking networks that include drugs, people and now extremism, Dory said.

"Beyond the obvious threat to Mali’s citizens and its neighbors, the growing terrorist presence in Mali also threatens U.S. citizens and interests in the region, to include the ability to attack embassies and conduct kidnapping operations," she said.

ECOWAS will lead the military intervention in Northern Mali, and that regional group will work closely with the African Union, Dory said.

The Department of Defense, through U.S. Africa Command, is actively supporting the military planning effort, she said.

"This is very much an African-led process," Dory said. "Our efforts are aimed at making our partners more capable of combating the terrorist threat in their territories, and providing better security for their people."

American assistance includes training and equipping African forces preparing to deploy to northern Mali, advice and additional planning support, Dory said.