Mali expels U.N. mission’s human rights chief

BAMAKO (Reuters) – The Malian interim authorities on Sunday stated the top of the U.N. peacekeeping mission’s human rights division had 48 hours to go away the nation as he had been declared persona non grata.

In a press release, it stated the choice to expel Guillaume Ngefa-Atondoko Andali was linked to his allegedly biased selection of civil society witnesses for U.N. Safety Council briefings on Mali, the newest of which was held on Jan. 27.

The U.N. mission in Mali MINUSMA didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. Andali couldn’t be reached for remark.

The Malian authorities have come below strain for alleged human rights violations and abuses reportedly perpetrated by Malian armed forces in partnership with the Russian personal army contractor Wagner Group in Mali.

On Jan. 31, U.N. consultants referred to as for an unbiased investigation into doable battle crimes and crimes in opposition to humanity by each these forces.

The Malian authorities, which took energy in a 2021 army coup, on Saturday launched a press release that pushed again in opposition to a few of the U.N. allegations and emphasised the authorities’ dedication to respecting human rights in accordance with worldwide and nationwide regulation.

(Reporting by Tiemoko Diallo; Extra reporting by Fadimata Kontao; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Modifying by Lisa Shumaker)