23 May 2014
On 16 May, the United Nations and the European Union entered into an agreement to finance the restoration of the cultural heritage in Timbuktu, which was destroyed by armed groups after clashes in 2012 between the Malian Government forces and Tuareg rebels. The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will coordinate the restoration project and train local personnel in order to ensure enduring preservation. The EU will contribute to the restoration by providing 500,000 euros. The heritage project will be directed in collaboration with the Malian Ministry of Culture, Higher Education and Scientific Research. The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) will provide logistical aid. (more…)
Source: UN News Centre | Mali: UN, European Union team up to restore Timbuktu’s cultural heritage
7 November 2012
On 12 October, the United Nations Security Council (UN SC) adopted a resolution, determining that the situation in Mali ‘constitutes a threat to international peace and security’. The UN SC declared its ‘readiness’ to send an international military force to assist the Malian armed forced to drive Islamists out of the north of Mali. After a coup in March 2012, much of the country is occupied and controlled by Tuareg rebels and Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda. The authorities of Mali and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) were given a 45 day deadline to formulate a plan for military action led by ECOWAS. The European Union considers assisting ECOWAS with military planning and logistics and sending about 200 troops to train Mali’s army to retake the north of Mali.
Source: Reuters | EU considers sending 200 troops to train Mali army
Source: The Guardian | France to send drones to Mali in fight against al-Qaida-backed insurgents
Source: The Guardian | North Mali prepares for war as refugees dream of liberation from al-Qaida
Source: The Guardian | Islamist rebels vow assault on Malian capital if international forces attack