Security Council Press Statement on Mali

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued on 19 June by Council President Mark Lyall Grant ( United Kingdom):

The members of the Security Council welcome the signing in Ouagadougou on 18 June 2013 of a “Preliminary Agreement to the Presidential Election and the Inclusive Peace Talks in Mali” between the transitional authorities of Mali and the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and the High Council for the Unity of Azawad (HCUA).

The members of the Security Council note that this Agreement reaffirms the sovereignty, territorial integrity, national unity and secular nature of the Malian State, provides for an immediate ceasefire, paves the way for the nationwide holding of presidential elections and establishes a framework for inclusive talks with all communities of the north of Mali, and as such constitutes an important step towards lasting peace and stability in Mali.

The members of the Security Council commend in this regard the mediation efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by the President of Burkina Faso and the President of Nigeria, with the support of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, the African Union High Representative and the Special Representative of the European Union.

The members of the Security Council call on all signatories of the Agreement to fully implement its provisions, with the support of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA), the African Union and ECOWAS.

The members of the Security Council call on those armed groups in northern Mali that are not signatories to the Agreement, and that have cut off all ties with terrorist organizations, to unconditionally commit to all the provisions contained therein.

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For information media • not an official record