On September 17 and 18, 2020, MINUSMA held two awareness-raising and information sessions with cultural actors from Timbuktu and leaders of various associations from Taoudéni. The UN Security Council Resolution 2531 (2020) which renews the Mandate of MINUSMA and the role of uniformed personnel in the protection of civilians, were the subjects of this session which took place at the Ahmed Baba Center in Timbuktu .
The activities brought together around one hundred participants, in the presence of representatives of the Strategic Communication and Public Information, Civil Affairs, Security Sector Reform and Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (RSS-DDR) as well as elements of the United Nations Police (UNPOL). The meetings helped to educate the participants on the priority tasks of resolution 2531 (2020), the activities carried out in the regions of Timbuktu and Taoudéni, as well as the support of the Mission to the authorities and civil society organizations in the framework of the response against Covid-19.
During discussions with the UN staff, the participants called for union for peace. “We are doomed to live together. We invite our other brothers to join us in building together the Mali of peace we want, because no one will do it for us, ” indicated Kalifa IDNANE, a participant from Timbuktu.
As for the President of the Coordination of Cultural Actors of the Timbuktu region, Amadou TLAFIDIE, he welcomed the resumption of these direct exchanges with the communities and expressed his gratitude for the efforts undertaken by MINUSMA to counter the spread of the disease. coronavirus. “We can only thank the UN Mission for these actions. This moment of reunion is beneficial for us, in that we have been more informed about his work. We will continue, on stage, through our songs and plays, to raise awareness about your role in contributing to the adhesion of the communities for which you are deploying your efforts, ” he concluded.
Resolution 2531 (2020) calls on MINUSMA to intensify its communication efforts to publicize its Mandate and its role, as well as to underscore the role and responsibilities of the Malian authorities regarding the protection of civilians and the implementation of the 'Agreement for peace and reconciliation in Mali.
The sessions took place in accordance with the hygiene measures decreed by the Malian health authorities: wearing a mask, washing hands and respecting social distancing.
On behalf of the populations, the representatives of the traditional communicators of Taoudéni renewed their gratitude to MINUSMA for its efforts in favor of reconciliation between all the communities of Mali. They called for increased support from MINUSMA for women and young people.
“We appreciate your actions aimed at bringing together all local children without exclusion. We are committed to contributing to a better knowledge of your actions with the communities for which you work , ” declared Mohamed LAMINE, President of the Network of Traditional Communicators of Taoudéni.