MINUSMA boss Hamdi apologises to the families of the victims of the 27 January incident

 

On 2 April, Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mongi Hamdi, accompanied by the Ministers of Decentralization and Territorial Administration, Health, and Trade and Industry, the Gao MPs and MINUSMA senior military, police and civilian officers, met with the Governor of Gao, the Mayor of Gao ville and the families of those who died in the 27 January 2015 demonstration in Gao.

 

The meeting was also attended by the president of the Conseil Régional, regional authorities, representatives of civil society, including youth and women, and religious leaders.

 

SRSG Hamdi Mongi expressed the Secretary-General’s deepest apologies to the victims’ families and the residents of Gao for the excessive use of force by some elements of MINUSMA on protesters during the 27 January 2015 incident. Mr. Hamdi also underlined the commitment of the United Nations to ensure that the responsible individuals will be held accountable for their actions. He further stated that the families of the deceased will receive an indemnity. The SRSG recalled MINUSMA’s mandate and reassured the Gao residents that the Mission is in Mali to work hand in hand with the Government in order to restore peace and stability.  

SRSG Hamdi also seized the opportunity to launch an urgent appeal to the Coordination to sign the peace agreement. Before SRSG Hamdi’s address, the Minister in charge of Decentralization and Territorial Administration, Abdoulaye Idrissa Maiga, commended the work of MINUSMA in Mali and reminded that MINUSMA is a partner of Mali. He urged the population of Gao to fully cooperate and collaborate with Malian and international security forces by providing information on possible threats. The meeting ended with a handshake between the grieving family members and SRSG Hamdi.

Following Minister Abdoulaye Idrissa Maiga suggestion, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Cadre de Concertation des Notables de Gao.