Inner City Press: Investigative Reporting from the United Nations

On Mali After Ladsous' Refusal, UN Sends Dry Paragraph, Ignoring Azawad

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, April 25 -- When UN Peacekeeping boss Herve Ladsous was asked “who will disarm the MNLA” in Mali by Inner City Press on Thursday morning, he said “I don't respond to you.” Video here.

Inner City Press then asked at the UN noon briefing, would the UN mission in Mali be involved in any (involuntary) disarmament in Kidal or elsewhere in Mali?

UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said he would ask Ladsous' DPKO. Three hours later what his office sent was just a quote from the resolution adopted in the morning:

Subject: Your question on the Mali UN Mission
From: UN Spokesperson - Do Not Reply [at] un.org
Date: Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 3:42 PM
To: Matthew.Lee [at] innercitypress.com
Cc: Martin Nesirky [at] un.org

Reagrding the Mission's disarmament responsibilities, please note that the resolution today specificies:

(v) To assist the transitional authorities of Mali in developing and implementing programmes for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of former combatants and the dismantling of militias and self-defence groups, consistent with the objectives of reconciliation and taking into account the specific needs of demobilized children.

But as more than one Security Council member told Inner City Press, the MNLA probably will not, and should not be expected to, voluntarily disarm before negotiations with the government.

Meanwhile, Mali's foreign minister Coulibaly told Inner City Press on Thursday that the MNLA would have to disarm BEFORE any talks.

Ladsous' refusal to answer, and the UN's bureaucratic answer, may only embolden that position, as in the Democratic Republic of Congo, that UN muscle flexing will provide a military solution. Lad chance.

Similarly, the UN spokesperson's office sent answers to previous questions, which we will publish here for immediate use:

From: UN Spokesperson - Do Not Reply [at] un.org
Date: Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 9:51 AM
Subject: Your question on Romano Prodi
To: Matthew.Lee [at] innercitypress.com
Cc: Martin Nesirky [at] un.org

Mr Prodi is the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Sahel. Mr. Prodi did not campaign for the office of the Italian Presidency while working as the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General.

In the Italian political system, the President is elected by the Parliament. This is not a direct election, nor is it a position that is campaigned for. Mr. Prodi was nominated for one round of voting while he was in Mali attending an international meeting on the crisis in that country. He withdrew his name for consideration immediately after one round of voting.

But he ran in that round, while a UN official. So are there no rules? What of UN Charter Article 100?

Subject: Your question on Haiti
From: UN Spokesperson - Do Not Reply [at] un.org
Date: Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 1:19 PM
To: Matthew.Lee [at] innercitypress.com
Cc: Martin Nesirky [at] un.org

The UN in Haiti cannot comment on all the specific findings of the Amnesty International report but continues to raise its concern over forced evictions with the Government. Most recently, this issue was discussed by the Secretary-General with the Prime Minister of Haiti during a meeting last week in Washington, DC.

Notwithstanding the right of owners to enjoy their property, the practice of forced eviction often results in violations of human rights such as the right to life and security of the individual. The roughly 320,000 persons still residing in displaced camps are considered to be among the most vulnerable, most of them unable to find a return solution and without access to appropriate services. The humanitarian community estimates that more than 66,000 internally displaced persons (in 150 camps) have been victims of forced evictions since July 2010. More than 73,000 people living in 87 camps (20 per cent of the total displaced population) are facing threats of eviction in 2013.

During a recent meeting with the Humanitarian Coordinator, Prime Minister Lamothe also shared his concern regarding this matter. In a meeting with the Minister of Human Rights, the acting Special Representative was also assured that the judicial authorities were investigating cases of forced eviction and would take appropriate action against those responsible.

In the meantime, the UN Mission in Hait, MINUSTAH, continues to devote considerable resources to support the Haitian National Police in providing security for camp populations, and to provide support to Government led resettlement efforts.

We'll have more on this. Watch this site.

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