Ban Ki-moon encouraged by transfer of AFISMA to MINUSMA in Mali

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Monday the transfer of authority from the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) to the United Nations Multi-dimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) encouraged him. His remarks came during his meeting with the interim President of the Republic of Mali, Diacounda Traore in Paris last night. According to a UN statement, Ban also noted the importance of the upcoming presidential elections and underlined that they needed to be credible and peaceful, with an outcome accepted by all Malians. The Secretary General and the President of Mali also discussed MINUSMAs mandate, the need to pursue efforts towards an inclusive national dialogue and the human rights situation in the country. The Secretary-General then met with the French Defense Minister of Jean-Yves Le Drian, where they discussed the situation in Mali, including the MINUSMA and the support of French troops for the Mission, as well as progress achieved in implementing the Preliminary Agreement of June 18. They also noted the effect of the Malian crisis on countries in the region. They also exchanged on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Lebanon and in Syria, the statement concluded.