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Mali warns United States against disinformation against it

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The military government in Mali has asked the United States to desist from disinformation about the country and its defence relations with Russia.

Spokesman of the government, Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga said in a statement that the junta “was stunned to learn of the unilateral decision” by the US government to sanction the two Malian officers, “on the sole basis of the United Nations report.”

The call comes after sanctions the US imposed sanctions on two Malian officers, Moustapha Sangare, then commander of a parachute commando regiment, and Major Lassine Togola, commander of a special forces battalion, both accused of taking part in a massacre in the centre of the country in 2022.

He further revealed that the Malian Foreign Affairs on 25 May “invited” US Ambassador, Rachna Korhonen to inform her of “the extreme seriousness of the false accusations made against the Republic of Mali.”

The government “is upset by these actions, which are having a negative impact on bilateral cooperation”, he said. The government “appeals to the government of the United States of America to stop the disinformation campaign against Mali”, he declared.

There have been allegations of rights abuses in the Malian troop’s engagement with terrorist groups in Moura. A UN commission two weeks ago claimed that it “has reasonable grounds to believe” that at least 500 people, including some 20 women and seven children, were “executed by the Malian Armed Forces and foreign military personnel (…) after the area (had) been totally subdued” between March 27 and 31, 2022 in Moura.

The government of Mali has acknowledged the presence of Russian “instructors” in the fight against jihadists, a claim also attributed to Sergei Lavrov, head of Russian diplomacy.

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‘Big Brother’ Uganda to mediate between Somalia and Somaliland

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Uganda has revealed plans to play mediating role between its neighbour, Somalia and the breakaway region of Somaliland following the over three decade split between the countries.

According to a statement from the Ugandan government, President Yoweri Museveni decided to accept the position during a visit by Jama Musse Jama, a special representative from Somaliland, on Friday.

“President Museveni agreed to be the unification facilitator between Somaliland and Somalia,” it said.

Somalia and Somaliland are both inhabited basically by Somalis— with small Oromo minorities in both, and a large Swahili minority in the latter, as well as shared dominant religion and social values.

“We don’t support secession because strategically, it is wrong,” Museveni was quoted in the statement as telling the envoy.

Although Somaliland split apart from Somalia in 1991, its independence has not been widely acknowledged internationally. While Somalia has been embroiled in civil war, it has largely been quiet.

Reunification could improve the Horn of Africa nation’s ability to confront problems, such as an uprising by Islamist group, Al Shabaab.

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Kenya’s Ruto wants global support for Haiti

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Kenya’s President William Ruto wants the United Nations Security Council to officially support the mission to the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti.

Kenya, an East African powerhouse, is active in Haiti, and recently announced it was ready to be part of a multinational force. It committed to deploy 1,000 police officers to the country and  “accepted to positively consider leading a Multi-National Force to Haiti.”

Ruto, during his address, insisted that the Caribbean country “deserves better from the world.” “Kenya is ready to play its part in full, and join with a coalition of other nations of goodwill – and there are many— as a great friend and true sibling of Haiti,” Ruto said while addressing world leaders.

Haiti begged for assistance last year to fight off vicious gangs that had largely taken over the city of Port-au-Prince.

According to diplomats, the council might vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution endorsing the deployment of international police as early as next week.

U.N. peacekeepers were deployed to Haiti in 2004 after a rebellion led to the ouster and exile of then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Peacekeeping troops left in 2017 and were replaced by U.N. police, which left in 2019.

Haiti has been without any elected representatives since January and countries across the world have been cautious about supporting the unelected administration of Prime Minister Ariel Henry who has argued that fair elections cannot be held with the current insecurity.

Violent crimes, including kidnappings for ransom, armed robberies, and carjacking are prevalent in the country.

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