The United Nations, European Union, African Union and the West African regional bloc Ecowas have called for calm in Mali after at least 11 civilians were killed in a security crackdown on anti-government protests.
The organisations "condemn the use of lethal force in the context of maintaining public order and invite all stakeholders to exercise restraint", their representatives in Mali said on Sunday.
President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, 75, is facing a mounting wave of protests triggered by the constitution court's decision to overturn the results of about 30 seats in the long-delayed parliamentary poll held in March and April, benefiting several members of the president's party. Mr Keita was already unpopular over the government's handling of the economy and failure to quell an extremist insurgency.
The protests in the capital, Bamako, and other cities turned violent at the weekend, leaving 11 people dead and 124 injured, a senior official at the emergency department of a major hospital in Bamako told Agence France-Presse.
The demonstrations are being driven by a disparate group of religious, political and civil society leaders who have come together under the umbrella of the June 5 Movement, or 5M. They have called for "civil disobedience", including non-payment of fines and blocking entry to state buildings.
The four-party front voiced support for proposals put forward by Ecowas, the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States of which Mali is a member, including a "consensus government of national union" and fresh elections in constituencies where the court overturned the results.
Mali's European allies as well as its neighbours are deeply concerned at the escalating crisis, given the country's poverty, ethnic mix and strategic location at the heart of the Sahel region.
International and regional powers fear that political turmoil in Mali could undermine their military campaigns against extremist militant groups in the region. The United Nations has more than 13,000 peacekeeping soldiers in Mali.
French Defence Minister Florence Parly said a joint EU special operations force formed to back Mali's fight against extremists would arrive in the country on Wednesday.
About 100 French and Estonian troops will initially make up the force called Takuba, Ms Parly said on Sunday.
A second contingent of about 60 Czech soldiers will arrive in October, to be followed by about 150 Swedish troops in January 2021, she said.
"Italy has just indicated its wish to join us," she said.
The entire Sahel region is witnessing increasingly brazen attacks by extremist groups despite the beefing up of national armies and the deployment of 5,100 French anti-terrorism troops.
Extremist and inter-ethnic violence in Mali and neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso killed at least 4,000 people in 2019, according to the United Nations.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Zayed Sustainability Prize
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
