Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question today is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob Carr. Can the minister please update the Senate on the crisis in Mali?

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 11 January French forces launched an attack on extremist groups that had terrorised northern Mali for nearly a year. As the jihadists were driven out of Timbuktu they destroyed priceless manuscripts, some from the 13th century. Their atrocities also included extrajudicial executions, rape, the recruitment of child soldiers and an extreme interpretation of Shari law. For example, there was television footage last week of a veiled woman crouching in the desert sand in northern Mali, being flogged by an extremist group.

The UN estimates that more than 225,000 persons are internally displaced, almost 145,000 Malians are refugees and 4.3 million people need assistance. Destabilised by years of poverty, weak governance and environmental degradation, and flush with weapons from Libya, Mali is at risk of becoming a haven for terrorists and for networks of organised crime. Australia has welcomed and supported the French intervention and recent successes in pushing back these extremist forces. African forces, under the African-led International Support Mission in Mali, AFISMA, are being deployed to take over from the French. US Vice-President Biden, in a press conference on 4 February with French President Hollande, said, 'The US agreed on the need to transition these military operations into a UN peacekeeping mission as soon as it was prudent.'

We welcome the recent framework for dialogue and elections. We call on leaders in Bamako and progressive elements to the north to embrace negotiations in good faith. There is a need for a political road map that offers people who are non-violent and non-extremists that opportunity to join the political process in this country. When I meet Mali's ambassador to Australia later today I will repeat our call for all sides— (Time expired)

Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the minister for that comprehensive response. Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the minister advise what steps the Australian government is taking in response to this crisis?

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When the French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, called me in January with a request for assistance, I underlined that Australia was committed to helping and that, as a Security Council member, Australia supported the rapid deployment of AFISMA troops.

On 29 January the Minister for Defence and I announced $5 million to assist AFISMA. This will help fund transport, communications, medical supplies and other equipment. I also announced $5 million in aid for critical items such as medicine, food, water and shelter. This is on top of our $44 million in support of the Sahel region announced in 2012. Some $10 million of that $40 million went to Mali. I am proud to say that, when other countries suspended their programs because of the coup that took place in March, Australia was one of the few countries to say: 'The humanitarian arguments are overwhelming; we'll continue aid.' Our commitment to help those in need in that country remains. (Time expired)

Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Can the minister update the Senate on the threat posed by extremist groups in Mali and in Africa more broadly, given the fragile nature of things?

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Terrorism does remain an enduring threat in the region. In Africa, extremist groups are finding new ways to spread sectarian conflict by exploiting weak governance. Efforts by extremists, including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, to establish a safe haven in Mali have met stout resistance from the international community. But the threat of extremism in Africa is not limited to this country. In Somalia, the al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist group, al-Shabaab, has waged a bloody terrorist campaign in recent years. In 2012 there was a tremendous effort by the African union force, AMISOM, to re-establish peace and security in Somalia. Al-Shabaab, however, remains a potent threat to regional security. In Nigeria, Boko Haram conducts widespread killings and incites sectarian violence. (Time expired)