Security Council Issues Presidential Statement Condemning Repeated Ceasefire Violations by Armed Groups in Mali

Strongly condemning repeated ceasefire violations in Mali by armed groups over the last few months, the Security Council urged those factions, as well as the Government to expeditiously carry out all their commitments under the 2015 Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation for the country.

Through a statement read out by Fodé Seck of Senegal, Council President for the month of November, the 15-member body cited attacks by the Plateforme and Coordination groups in the Kidal area of the Sahelian country and urged an immediate halt in hostilities.  It reiterated its readiness to consider sanctions against those who obstructed peace, as expressed in resolution 2295 (2016).

Expressing deep concern over delays in full implementation of the Agreement, the Council urged the Government and the signatory groups to act to deploy the required joint security patrols, make further progress in the establishment of interim administrations in the north of Mali, operationalize mechanisms for demobilization of armed combatants and ensure deployment of Malian defence forces throughout the country.

It urged the Government to work with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to establish benchmarks and timelines to assess progress in all areas.  It called on members of the Comité de suivi de l’Accord and other international partners to sustain their support for the Agreement, including the preparation of Malian forces for their country-wide deployment.

Expressing concern over the expansion of terrorist and other criminal activities into central and southern Mali, as well as the intensification of intercommunal violence in the centre of the country, the Council underscored the primary responsibility of the Government in security and in holding terrorists and their supporters accountable.

Condemning attacks on humanitarian operations and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), as well, the Council underlined its request to the Secretary-General to quickly identify options to enable the Mission to fully implement its mandate while ensuring the safety and security of personnel.

It urged Member States to urgently provide adequate capabilities, in particular aviation and transportation assets, to fill gaps, in that regard and called on Member States in the region to enhance their cooperation with the Mission.

The meeting began at 2:51 p.m. and ended at 3 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2016/16 reads as follows:

“The Security Council strongly condemns the repeated violations of the ceasefire arrangements by the Plateforme and Coordination armed groups in and around Kidal over the last months, which threaten the viability of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali.  The Security Council urges the signatory armed groups to cease hostilities immediately, to strictly adhere to the ceasefire arrangements and to resume dialogue without delay for the implementation of the Agreement.

“The Security Council urges the Government of Mali, the Plateforme and Coordination armed groups to fully and sincerely maintain their commitments under the Agreement.  The Security Council recalls its readiness to consider targeted sanctions against those who take actions to obstruct the implementation of the Agreement as well as those who resume hostilities and violate the ceasefire, as expressed in its resolution 2295 (2016).

“The Security Council acknowledges the steps taken by signatory parties over the last year to implement the Agreement, welcomes the progress towards establishing interim administrations in the north of Mali and expresses its deep concern over the persistent delays for the full implementation of the Agreement.  The Security Council underscores the pressing need to deliver tangible and visible peace dividends to the population in the north and other parts of Mali in order to keep the momentum of the Agreement.

“The Security Council urges the Government of Mali, the Plateforme and Coordination armed groups to take urgent and concrete action to fully deliver on their obligations under the Agreement without further delay, in particular to deploy joint security patrols, to accomplish the process of establishing interim administrations in the north of Mali, to operationalize the commissions for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed combatants, and to accelerate the redeployment of the Malian Defense and Security Forces throughout the country within the framework of the Agreement.

“The Security Council urges the Government of Mali to engage with the Secretary-General, through his Special Representative for Mali, to establish concrete benchmarks and timelines to assess the progress toward the full implementation of the Agreement and recalls its request to the Secretary-General to include them in his December 2016 report.

“The Security Council calls on members of the Comité de suivi de l’Accord and other relevant international partners to sustain their support to the implementation of the Agreement.  The Security Council emphasizes the central role the Special Representative of the Secretary-General should continue to play to support and oversee the implementation of the Agreement by the Government of Mali, the Plateforme and Coordination armed groups.

“The Security Council encourages bilateral and multilateral partners to increase their support to accelerate the redeployment of the Malian Defense and Security Forces, once reformed and reconstituted, to the north of Mali, particularly by providing relevant equipment and training, in coordination with the Government of Mali and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and within the framework of the Agreement.

“The Security Council reiterates its concern over the expansion of terrorist and other criminal activities across Mali, and, in particular, into central and southern Mali, as well as the intensification of intercommunal violence in the Centre of Mali.  The Security Council emphasizes that the Malian authorities have primary responsibility for the provision of stability and security throughout the territory of Mali.

“The Security Council strongly condemns the continuing attacks, including terrorist attacks, against the Malian defense and security forces, MINUSMA and the French forces.  The Security Council underlines the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.  The Security Council urges the Government of Mali to take measures to ensure that those responsible for these attacks are held accountable.

“The Security Council acknowledges the significant capability gaps within MINUSMA and underlines its request to the Secretary-General to expeditiously identify options and take all appropriate additional measures to enable MINUSMA to fully implement its mandate and to ensure the safety and security of its personnel.  The Security Council urges Member States to urgently provide adequate capabilities to MINUSMA, in particular aviation and transportation capabilities, to fill in these gaps.

“The Security Council reiterates its serious concern over the insecurity which hinders humanitarian access, condemns attacks against humanitarian personnel, and emphasizes the need for all parties to respect the principles of humanitarian assistance (humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence) in order to ensure the continued provision of humanitarian assistance. The Security Council also emphasizes the need for all parties to ensure the safety and protection of civilians receiving assistance and the security of humanitarian personnel operating in Mali.

“The Security Council calls on Member States in the region, notably through the G5 Sahel and the African Union Nouakchott Process, to advance their cooperation with MINUSMA in order to strengthen regional security and facilitate the implementation of its mandate.”