Washington, DC - Friday, President Trump signed an executive order to address the deteriorating security situation in Mali. Extremist groups are exploiting ethnic tensions and expanding their networks well outside Malis borders.

The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has faced more violence and danger than any other peacekeeping mission in UN history. We commend the difficult work these peacekeepers and their partners do in the region. The signatory parties to the 2015 peace accordboth government and armed groupshave made distressingly little headway in implementing key components of the accord that could move Mali toward broader peace and tackle many of the grievances that push Malian citizens toward violence.

The Presidents executive order will freeze assets and suspend travel for individuals or entities that seek to undermine the peace, security, or stability of Mali. The United States will continue to work with its partners and the UNs Mali Sanctions Committee to identify those who seek to capitalize on instability or maintain the status quo rather than work towards peace, and make them subject to the full effect of sanctions.