Security Council

7099^th Meeting (AM)

Security Council Welcomes Successful Elections in Mali, while Expressing Concern

over ‘Fragile’ Situation Affecting Northern Region

 

Presidential Statement Underlines Need for Peacekeeping Mission’s Swift Deployment

The Security Council today welcomed the successful holding of peaceful and transparent legislative elections in Mali on 24 November and 15 December 2013, underlining that, in addition to the previously conducted presidential polls, they marked a further step towards restoring democratic governance and the full return of constitutional order in the West African country.

In a presidential statement (document S/PRST/2014/2), the Council also expressed concern about the fragile security situation in northern Mali, including recent incidents revealing that terrorists and other armed groups had reorganized themselves and regained some ability to operate.  It reiterated its call for an inclusive, credible negotiation process open to all communities in the north, with the goal of securing a durable political resolution to the crisis that would respect Mali’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

Underlining the importance of complete operational deployment of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), without further delay, the Council called on all States to support its swift completion.  It also urged all parties in the country to cooperate fully with the Mission’s deployment and activities, in particular by ensuring the safety and security of its members.

The Council also commended the Government’s efforts to launch a series of national consultative events on the situation in the north of Mali, with a view to promoting good governance, institutional reform and economic and social development, while reinforcing national unity and security.  It encouraged further steps towards advancing inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation, underscoring the need to address the causes of recurrent governance and security crises, as well as development and humanitarian challenges.

Also by the text, the Council called on all signatories to the 18 June 2013 Ouagadougou Preliminary Agreement, as well as armed groups in northern Mali that had severed ties with terrorists and committed to the accord, to swiftly and fully implement its provisions, including:  the cantonment of armed groups, re-establishment of State administration throughout the country, and the urgent launching of inclusive and credible peace talks.

Reiterating its demand for the rejection of violence, the Council called on all parties to agree on measures to further the cantonment of armed groups as an essential step leading to an effective disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process in the context of a comprehensive peace settlement.

By other terms, the Council called on the Government to achieve lasting solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons, including by creating suitable conditions for their voluntary and safe return.  It remained gravely concerned by the extent of the food crisis, and called on the international community to increase assistance to affected populations.

More broadly, the Council reiterated its continuing concern over the alarming situation in the Sahel, and reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the complex security and political challenges involved.  It also reaffirmed its request that the Secretary-General ensure early progress in implementing the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel.

The meeting began at 10:05 a.m. and ended at 10:10 a.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of Presidential Statement S/PRST/2014/2 reads as follows:

“The Security Council reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Mali.

“The Security Council welcomes the successful holding of peaceful and transparent legislative elections on 24 November and 15 December 2013 in Mali and commends the people and authorities of Mali for the manner in which they were conducted.  The Security Council commends the efforts of domestic and international observers and bilateral and international partners to support the electoral process.  The Security Council expresses its appreciation to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) for the security and logistical support it provided during the electoral process.  The Security Council underlines that, in addition to the successful holding of the presidential elections in July and August 2013, the holding of the legislative elections marks a further step in the restoration of democratic governance and the full return of constitutional order in Mali.

“The Security Council commends the initial efforts of the Government of Mali to launch a series of national consultative events on the situation in the North of Mali to promote good governance, institutional reform, economic and social development and to reinforce national unity and security.  The Security Council encourages further steps towards consolidating stability, advancing inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation, and fostering social cohesion.  The Security Council underscores the need to address the underlying causes of recurrent crises which have affected Mali, including governance, security, development and humanitarian challenges, and drawing lessons from past peace agreements.

“The Security Council reiterates its call for an inclusive and credible negotiation process open to all communities of the North of Mali, with the goal of securing a durable political resolution to the crisis and long-term peace and stability throughout the country, respecting the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Malian State.  The Security Council lends its full support to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali to use good offices, in close coordination with the international community, towards the restoration of peace and security throughout the national territory of Mali, in the context of a comprehensive agreement ending the crisis.

“The Security Council recalls its resolution 2100 (2013) and, in this regard, calls on all the signatories of the Ouagadougou Preliminary Agreement of 18 June 2013, and those armed groups in the North of Mali that have cut off all ties with terrorist organizations and committed unconditionally to the Agreement, to swiftly and fully implement its provisions, including the cantonment of armed groups, the re-establishment of State administration throughout the country and the urgent launching of inclusive and credible peace talks.

“The Security Council reiterates its demand that armed groups in Mali put aside their arms and reject the recourse to violence.  The Security Council calls on all relevant Malian parties to agree on active measures to further the cantonment of armed groups, as an essential step leading to an effective disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process, in the context of a comprehensive peace settlement.  The Security Council reiterates its support for MINUSMA’s active role in supporting the strengthening of the above processes.

“The Security Council stresses the need to ensure the full, equal and effective participation and representation of women at all levels and at an early stage of the stabilization phase, including the security sector reform and DDR processes, as well as in the national political dialogue and electoral processes.

“The Security Council expresses concern about the fragile security situation in the North of Mali, including the recent incidents that revealed that terrorists and other armed groups have reorganized themselves and regained some ability to operate.  The Security Council stresses the primary responsibility of the Government of Mali for the provision of stability and security throughout its territory.  The Security Council stresses the importance of achieving without further delays the complete operational deployment of MINUSMA to stabilize key population centres and protect civilians, including women and children, especially in the North of Mali, and to continue to support the re-establishment of State authority throughout the country and the promotion of the rule of law and protection of human rights.  The Security Council calls on all Member States to support the swift completion of MINUSMA’s deployment.  The Security Council urges all parties in Mali to cooperate fully with the deployment and activities of MINUSMA, in particular by ensuring their safety and security.

“The Security Council takes note of the investigation led by Malian judicial authorities of military personnel, including General Amadou Haya Sanogo, in connection with violence committed in 2012.  The Security Council stresses the importance of maintaining Malian civilian control and oversight of the Malian Defense and Security Forces as a key element of the overall reform of the security sector and commends in this regard the contribution of international donors including the European Union through its Common Security and Defence Policy mission EUTM Mali.

“The Security Council recalls that those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights must be held accountable and, in this regard, encourages the Government of Mali to conduct investigations on such acts and swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice and to continue to cooperate with the International Criminal Court.  The Security Council strongly condemns incidents of sexual violence in armed conflict, including against children, in Mali, acknowledges efforts by the Government of Mali to prioritize judicial investigations of incidents of sexual violence in armed conflict, and encourages efforts to speed up the return of judicial authorities to the North.

“The Security Council, while noting that thousands of refugees and internally displaced persons have returned to their areas of origin, commends the Government of Mali for its efforts to address the humanitarian challenges and calls on the Government to achieve lasting solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons, including by creating the conditions conducive to their voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return.  The Security Council remains gravely concerned by the extent of the food crisis and calls on the international community to continue to increase its assistance to affected populations, particularly women and children, and address the gap in the funding of the Consolidated Appeal for Mali.

“The Security Council welcomes the efforts of the international community as well as of the Malian Government within the framework of the mutual commitments of the Brussels 15 May 2013 conference “Together for a new Mali”.  The Security Council calls upon all relevant United Nations agencies and the international community to strengthen their support for the Government’s efforts to implement its socioeconomic development plans, including supporting the provision of basic services to the population, in particular in the North of Mali.

“The Security Council calls upon the international community to continue to support the people and Government of Mali towards achieving lasting peace, stability and reconciliation in Mali and the development of the country.

“The Security Council reiterates its continued concern about the alarming situation in the Sahel region and reaffirms its continued commitment to address the complex security and political challenges in this region, which are interrelated with humanitarian and developmental issues.  The Security Council reaffirms its request, in this regard, to the Secretary General to ensure early progress towards the effective implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel.”

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For information media • not an official record