Brussels, 14 November 2019/ACP: The ACP Committee of Ambassadors (CoA) warmly welcomed the new Ambassador of the Republic of Mali, H.E. Mr Mamadou Mandjou Berthe to the fold on 14 November 2019 at the ACP House.

Ambassador Berthe’s distinguished career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mali where he began his career, spans over 20 years. He served in various capacities both at home and in several diplomatic posts abroad. Over the course of his career, he served as Chief of Staff of the Directorate for Administration and Finance, Head of Cooperation between Mali and many countries, within the Ministry’s Directorate for International Cooperation then as Second and First Councellor of the Embassy of Mali in Ottawa, Canada.

Ambassador Berthe’s interpersonal and negotiating skills have enabled him to promote and defend his country’s interests and positions in regional and international fora. In Ottawa, he played a major role in strengthening cooperation between Mali and Canada, particularly in the areas of private sector and trade. At the end of this diplomatic tour in Ottawa, he returned to Mali where he was eventually promoted to Director for European Affairs.

In his maiden address to the Committee, the Ambassador recalled that Mali was among the signatories of the ACP’s Constitutive Act, the Georgetown Agreement in 1975 and noted the magnitude of the task now facing the ACP, as it determined its common future and its cooperation the European Union (EU).

Speaking of the ongoing negotiations with the EU, he warmly congratulated the different delegations and the Secretariat for the work which has been accomplished and encouraged them to “redouble their efforts and vigilance to preserve the interests of the People of the ACP.” Addressing the new economic and geopolitical context to which the ACP Group must adapt itself, he urged a united front, “We will win this fight with unity, solidarity and subsidiarity. It is why, every day, we must act with a high sense of responsibility to achieve the objectives we have set ourselves in the context of the future partnership envisaged with the EU after 2020, in accordance with the provisions of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Addressing the situation in Mali, he remarked that “Today, my country is in a phase of stabilisation marked by the implementation of “The Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali arising from the Algiers Process” signed on 15 May and completed on 20 June 2015” and underlined the engagement at the highest national level to favour inclusive dialogue to arrange all matters concerning the life of the nation, while remaining uncompromising about the values of the Republic.

Ambassador Berthe’s ACP colleagues wished him well in his new position, and offered their support to assist the Republic to continue to build a stable and prosperous Mali.

Photo: (L-R) ACP Secretary General, H.E. Dr. Patrick I. Gomes, H.E. Mr Mamadou Mandjou Berthe and the Chair of the CoA, H.E. Joshua Kalinoe of Papua New Guinea.