Under Secretary María Otero will travel to Bamako, Mali from October 29 to November 1, 2012.
In Mali, Under Secretary Otero will meet with Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra, President Dioncounda Traore as well as other government officials, human rights activists, UN agencies, and NGOs to discuss political and civilian security issues – including the conflict in northern Mali – refugee and migration issues, food security, human rights, trafficking in persons and combating terrorism.
During her trip, Under Secretary Otero will tour a UN food distribution site to meet with internally displaced persons. She will also visit a rehabilitation center for trafficked persons.
Under Secretary Otero will be accompanied by Ambassador Pat Haslach, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Justin Siberell, Deputy Coordinator for Regional Affairs and Programs of the Bureau of Counterterrorism, and Christopher Runyan, Director for African Affairs, National Security Staff.
