President of Republic Receives UN Special Representative for Mali

On 23 May, in Nouakchott, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, the President of the Republic, received Mr. El Ghassim Wane, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

At the end of the meeting, the UN diplomat made the following statement to the Mauritanian news agency:

” I have just been received by His Excellency Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, the President of the Republic. I am delighted with this opportunity and I would like to thank him for his availability and his support.

As you know, the MINUSMA is there to support the Malian people and the authorities of the Malian transition. It is also work that has a positive impact on regional stability and in neighboring countries. I came to discuss the situation and the ways and means of ensuring enhanced support from the United Nations to help stabilize the Sahel region, which is facing an extremely difficult situation.

In this regard, the countries of the region are making enormous efforts in various frameworks, and Mauritania is currently chairing the G-5 Sahel. MINUSMA is a UN instrument that operates in Mali at the request of and in support of the Malian authorities. The role we play there also contributes to regional stability in the Sahel. I am very happy with the opportunity is given to me to be received by the President to give him an update on our efforts in Mali and the challenges that remain to be overcome to help it stabilize, one month away from the discussions and decisions that will have to be made on the question of the renewal of the UN mission.

We had rich, very instructive, and very useful discussions, and I am delighted with Mauritania’s support. I must add that Mauritania has deployed some staff officers who are doing an excellent job within the framework of the mission.

I also take this opportunity to thank the President of the Republic and the other Mauritanian authorities that I met for their contribution to the work we are doing in Mali”.