U.S. Lifts Restrictions on Bilateral Assistance to Mali

WASHINGTON, September 7, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Press Statement

Marie Harf

Deputy Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

September 6, 2013

The United States congratulates Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on the occasion of his inauguration as President of the Republic of Mali.

We look forward to working with President Keita as he begins to address Mali's most pressing challenges, including those of national reconciliation, security sector reform, and the strengthening of Mali's democratic institutions.

Following Wednesday's inauguration, Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns signed a determination that a democratically elected government has taken office in Mali. The determination has been transmitted to Congress, thereby lifting the restriction on assistance to the Government of Mali, in place since the March 2012 military coup. The United States will therefore resume bilateral development assistance immediately, but will continue to assess when and how to reengage with Malian security institutions.

Any eventual resumption of assistance to the Malian military will prioritize security sector reform, professional norms, the reassertion of civilian authority, accountability mechanisms, and the rule of law.

The United States will coordinate closely with our partners in the international community and with the newly elected Malian Government to support comprehensive and effective solutions that promote development and security throughout Mali.