Security Council Press Statement on Mali

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Gérard Araud ( France):

On Wednesday, 8 August 2012, the members of the Security Council were briefed on the situation in Mali by the United Nations Secretary-General, by the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Permanent Observer for the African Union, and heard a statement by the Permanent Representative of Mali.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the return to Bamako of the interim President of Mali, Dioncounda Traoré.  They encouraged the swift appointment of an inclusive Government of national unity, the continuation of ongoing efforts to ensure the consolidation of the institutions of the Republic of Mali and the holding of elections as soon as possible.  They reiterated the Security Council’s full support to the mediation efforts of ECOWAS and the African Union.

The members of the Security Council called on the transitional authorities of Mali to ensure the full restoration and preservation of the constitutional order, including effective civilian control over the security and Armed Forces.  They demanded that the members of the “National Council for the Recovery of Democracy and the Restoration of the State” (CNRDRE) cease their continuous interference in the political process, reiterated that the CNRDRE must be dissolved, and called on all members of the Malian Armed Forces to return to their barracks and to refrain from any interference in political matters and in the work of the transitional authorities.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their grave concern about the insecurity and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Mali and in the Sahel region.  They reaffirmed their preoccupation with the increased terrorist threat and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in the north of Mali.  They expressed concern over reported grave abuses of human rights throughout the country, in particular abuses against soldiers, their families, and journalists, as well as the recruitment of child soldiers.  They called for respect of all fundamental freedoms in Mali.  They strongly condemned the ongoing destruction of Mali’s World Heritage sites and reiterated the call on all parties to immediately take appropriate steps to ensure their protection.

The members of the Security Council were briefed by Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of ECOWAS, on the ongoing strategic planning efforts following the request of ECOWAS for a United Nations Security Council mandate authorizing the deployment of an ECOWAS stabilization force in order to support the political process in Mali, restructure and reorganize the Malian security and defence forces, and assist in upholding the territorial integrity of Mali and in combating terrorism.

The members of the Security Council took note of the ECOWAS technical assessment mission that visited Mali from 6 to 18 July 2012, with the participation of the United Nations and the African Union.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the ongoing strategic planning efforts and encouraged increased cooperation by ECOWAS with the Malian transitional authorities, the Commission of the African Union, and countries in the region, with the support of the Secretary-General, in order to prepare detailed options regarding the objectives, means and modalities of the envisaged deployment and other possible measures.  They took note in this regard of the planning conference, scheduled to take place from 9 to 13 August 2012 in Bamako, with the participation of ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union and other partners.  The members of the Security Council further encouraged ECOWAS to have the Malian Government clarify its position, recognizing its importance.

The members of the Security Council look forward to being informed by 15 September 2012 on progress made by the Secretary-General in developing and implementing, in consultation with regional organizations, a United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel region encompassing security, governance, development, human rights and humanitarian issues, including through the involvement of the United Nations Office for West Africa.

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For information media • not an official record