Niger, Mali, Islamophobia & other topics - Daily Briefing (17 March 2021)

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

- Niger
- Mali
- Central African Republic
- Islamophobia
- Racism
- UN Food Systems Summit
- Myanmar
- Yemen
- COVAX
- COVID-19/South Asia
- Guests Tomorrow

NIGER
The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack on 15 March by unidentified gunmen in Banibangou, in the Tillabéri region of the Republic of Niger. He expresses his deep condolences to the bereaved families and wishes a swift recovery to the injured.
The Secretary-General urges the Nigerien authorities to spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The Secretary-General reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to continue supporting Niger in its efforts to counter and prevent terrorism and violent extremism, promote social cohesion and achieve sustainable development.
The Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, also issued a statement condemning the attack. And he urged the Nigerien authorities to take the necessary steps to ensure that those responsible for this despicable attack are arrested and brought to justice. 
Mr. Chambas reiterated his solidarity with the people and Government of Niger, as well as the continued support of the United Nations for the country, and all of the countries of the region, in their efforts to prevent and combat terrorism and violent extremism. 
MALI
The Head of the UN Mission in Mali, Mahamat Saleh Annadif, expressed his deep condolences to the families of the victims and the Government of Mali, following an attack on Malian forces near Gao.
Many soldiers were injured and thirty-three were killed in an attack by unknown combatants. The UN peacekeeping mission there says they
evacuated the injured soldiers to their hospital in Gao.
The UN Mission continues to work with the authorities on what additional support it can provide. 
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Moving on to the Central African Republic. Following last Sunday’s legislative elections, the UN Mission in the Central African Republic reports that the vote counting, as well as the transfer of election results from polling stations to the regional branches of the National Elections Authority, is underway. 
UN peacekeepers are providing security for the safe transportation of all of the ballots, in cooperation with national security forces. Yesterday, the elections authority began releasing provisional results over local radio. The results are released by polling station, starting with Bangui, where 14 out of the 16 constituency seats were being contested. 
Meanwhile, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that their partners have resumed assistance in Bria, in the Haute-Kotto Prefecture, and surrounding areas last week. Operations there were suspended at the end of February due to the risk of clashes between armed groups and national defence forces. There are over 73,000 displaced people in Bria. This is one of the country’s largest concentration of displaced people. 
The overall humanitarian situation remains concerning. There are nearly 250,000 Central Africans displaced internally or as refugees in neighbouring countries. 
The number of attacks against humanitarians has spiked, particularly at the beginning of the year. The Central African Republic is now one of the most dangerous places to work for humanitarians.       

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/conte....nt/noon-briefing-hig