UN Security Council Adopts Strong Resolution on Mali
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- Category: Latest
- Published on Friday, 06 July 2012 19:26
- Written by Elombah.com
The UN Security Council has adopted a Resolution which provides strong measures for addressing the security situation in Mali, and welcomed efforts by ECOWAS and partners towards the restoration of constitutional rule in the country in the wake of the March 2012 military coup and separatist rebellion in the North.
In the Resolution adopted during its session on Thursday 5th July
2012, which was attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission,
Ambassador Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, Council expressed its readiness to
further examine the request by ECOWAS for a mandate authorizing the
deployment of an ECOWAS stabilization Force in Mali in order to
support the political process and uphold the territorial integrity of
Mali and in combating terrorism.
It called for additional information regarding the objectives, means
and modalities of the envisaged deployment.
The Resolution which was initiated by France and co-sponsored by
Germany, Morocco, South Africa, Togo, the United Kingdom, and the
United States of America, reiterated the UN’s condemnation of the
forcible seizure of power from the democratically elected Government
of Mali by some members of the Malian Armed Forces on 22nd March 2012,
and commended the efforts of ECOWAS supported by the African Union
(AU) and other partners and countries in the Region in assisting with
the restoration of constitutional order in Mali through the
establishment of a transitional authority in Mali.
Council expressed its full support for the mediation efforts of ECOWAS
and the AU, underscored the need to reinforce civilian control over
the Malian Forces and stressed the need for close and continued
dialogue between the Transitional Authorities and the political actors
and civil society in the country.
It reiterated its strong condemnation of the attacks initiated and
carried out by rebels in the North of Mali against Malian Armed Forces
and civilians and equally reiterated its categorical rejection of the
so called “independence” declared by the National Movement for the
Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) describing the declaration as null and of
no value.
Council expressed deep concern at the deteriorating security and
humanitarian situations and at the increased terrorist threat in the
North of Mali due to the presence of members of Al-Qaida and agreed
that “the situation in Mali constitutes a threat to international
peace and security.”
In this regard, the Council adopted strong measures including the
dissolution of CNRDRE and called on its members to refrain from
interfering in political matters and in the work of the Transitional
Authorities.
Whilst noting ECOWAS and AU decisions to impose targeted sanctions,
Council said it reserves the right to consider further measures as
necessary and condemned in the strongest possible terms the physical
assault against the Interim President of Mali, Mr. Dioncounda Traore
on 21st May 2012.
Council further called for his safe return to Bamako as soon as
possible as well as assurances for his security.
It calls for mediation efforts to be undertaken by the Transitional
Authorities in Mali with the support of ECOWAS, the AU, neighbouring
and other countries of the Region aimed at seeking a peaceful
resolution to the situation in the north of Mali.
Before the adoption of the Resolution, President Ouedraogo addressed
the Council, further highlighting ECOWAS’ strategy for the resolution
of the double crises in Mali;
Whilst expressing appreciation at the support of the Council evidenced
by the adoption of the Resolution, he pledged to provide Council with
additional information to be assembled after the planned technical,
political and military assessment mission.
He appealed to the Council to adopt, subsequent to the report of the
technical mission and planning conference, another Resolution that
would authorize immediate deployment of the ECOWAS stabilization force
in Mali.
The Council took note of the President’s statement and expressed its
intention to consider any additional report to be presented by ECOWAS.
Meanwhile, a mini-summit of the six-nation regional Contact Group on
the Mali crisis has been called for Saturday 7th July in Ouagadougou,
Burkina Faso to move the regional initiatives forward.
The meeting being hosted by President Blaise Compaore, the regional
mediator of the crisis in Mali will also be attended leaders of Benin
Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Niger, Nigeria and Liberia, as well as
representatives of stakeholders in Mali, including political
leadership, religious, civil society and women organizations among
others.
