United States Mission to the United Nations
Office of Press and Public Diplomacy
For Immediate Release
June 13, 2022
Readout of Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Meeting with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop
The below is attributable to U.S. Mission to the United Nations Acting Spokesperson Melissa Quartell:
U.S. Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield met today with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield shared her disappointment with the Mali transition government’s lack of progress toward a democratic transition. She urged the Malian government to partner with ECOWAS to develop reforms with tangible benchmarks, highlighting that transparent and inclusive processes that respect diverse perspectives and freedoms will be critical to building a strong foundation for the future. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield noted that while the United States does not endorse the 24-month transition timeline as final, it views the announcement as a first step in responding to the calls for a clear and unambiguous commitment to restore constitutional rule in Mali.
The Ambassador expressed her concern over the UN peacekeepers killed in Mali and stressed that the MINUSMA mission is there to protect civilians and support sustainable peace in Mali. She encouraged the transition government to allow MINUSMA to do its job, which directly supports the transition government’s efforts to increase stability and security for the Malian people.
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield also strongly cautioned the transition government against partnering with the Russian-backed Wagner Group, which has a record of committing egregious human rights abuses in areas where it deploys, including in Mali, while diverting economic and natural resources away from the African continent.
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