The Malian interim government on Sunday said the head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission's human rights division had 48 hours to leave the country as he had been declared persona non grata. The U.N. mission in Mali MINUSMA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Malian authorities have come under pressure for alleged human rights violations and abuses reportedly perpetrated by Malian armed forces in partnership with the Russian private military contractor Wagner Group in Mali. On January 31, U.N. experts called for an independent investigation into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity by both these forces. The Malian government, which took power in a 2021 military coup, on Saturday released a statement that pushed back against some of the U.N. allegations and emphasized the authorities' commitment to respecting human rights in accordance with international and national law.

Source: Ethiopian News February 06, 2023 06:23 UTC