Security Council Renews Sanctions Regarding Mali, Panel Monitoring Implementation, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2432 (2018)

The Security Council today renewed for one year sanctions imposed by resolution 2374 (2017) concerning Mali, also extending until 30 September 2019 the mandate of the expert panel established to monitor their implementation.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2432 (2018) under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council renewed the travel ban and assets freeze until 31 August 2019 on individuals and entities designated by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017).

It also renewed its request to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to assist the Committee and the Panel of Experts, expressing its intention to review the mandate and take appropriate action regarding its further extension no later than 31 August 2019.

It requested the Panel of Experts to provide a midterm report no later than 28 February 2019 and a final report no later than 15 August 2019.

Anne Gueguen (France) said the idea of imposing sanctions on those obstructing the peace process was endorsed by Mali parties at time of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation.  For a year, the sanctions have been a useful addition to the tools available to find a solution to the crisis, sending a deterrent message “to change the behaviour of certain actors on the ground”.  Yet, the progress made has been insufficient, given the expectations.  While there have been positive trends in recent months, the Council has expressed its frustration.

“We’ve followed implementation of priority measures in resolution 2423 (2018) to be taken within six months,” she said.  “The time of warnings is, therefore, over.”  Intermediaries of armed groups are undermining implementation of the Agreement through their links with terrorist activities and France has proposed their designation to the sanctions list.  The resolution draws attention to complementary measures to be taken within the sanctions regime.  Noting that action will be taken if the road map is not implemented, she recalled that such was the Agreement entered into by Malian parties in framework of the road map.  Stressing that sanctions are a tool to help implement the Agreement, she said the issues at stake are too large to tolerate an impasse.  The Council must use all tools available to uphold peace in Mali.

The meeting began at 10:09 a.m. and ended at 10:15 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 2432 (2018) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions, in particular resolutions 2423 (2018), 2391 (2017) and 2374 (2017),

“Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Mali, emphasizing that the Malian authorities have primary responsibility for the provision of stability and security throughout the territory of Mali, and underscoring the importance of achieving national ownership of peace- and security-related initiatives,

“Taking note of the renewed commitment of the Government of Mali, the Plateforme coalition of armed groups and the Coordination des Mouvements de l’Azawad coalition of armed groups to the expeditious implementation of all of their remaining obligations under the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, through the adoption of a chronogramme d’actions prioritaires during the meeting of the Comité de Suivi de l’Accord held in Bamako on 15 and 16 January 2018, followed by the adoption of a road map for its implementation on 22 March 2018,

“Welcoming the recent positive steps achieved in the implementation of the Agreement, while expressing its deep frustration that parties have too long stalled the implementation of the Agreement, in spite of significant international support and assistance, further expressing a significant sense of impatience with parties over the persistent delays in the full implementation of key provisions of the Agreement and stressing the absolute urgency for the Government of Mali and the Plateforme and Coordination armed groups to take unprecedented steps to fully and expeditiously deliver on remaining obligations under the Agreement,

“Stressing that all parties to the Agreement share the primary responsibility to make steadfast progress in its implementation,

“Recalling the provisions of the Agreement calling upon the Security Council to give its full support to the Agreement, to closely monitor its implementation and, if necessary, to take measures against anyone hindering the implementation of the commitments contained therein or the realization of its objectives,

“Recalling the provisions of resolution 2423 (2018) expressing the intention of the Security Council to follow closely the timely implementation of the road map referred to above and to respond with measures pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017) should the parties not implement the agreed-upon commitments within the announced timeframe,

“Taking note of the final report (document S/2018/581) of the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017),

“Determining that the situation in Mali continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Decides to renew until 31 August 2019 the measures as set out in paragraphs 1 to 7 of resolution 2374 (2017);

“2.   Reaffirms that these measures shall apply to individuals and entities as designated by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017), as set forth in paragraphs 8 and 9 of resolution 2374 (2017);

“3.   Decides to extend until 30 September 2019 the mandate of the Panel of Experts, as set out in paragraphs 11 to 15 of resolution 2374 (2017), as well as the request to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), as set out in paragraph 16 of resolution 2374 (2017), expresses its intention to review the mandate and take appropriate action regarding its further extension no later than 31 August 2019, and requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary administrative measures as expeditiously as possible to re-establish the Panel of experts, in consultation with the Committee, drawing, as appropriate, on the expertise of the current members of the Panel of Experts;

“4.   Requests the Panel of Experts to provide to the Council, after discussion with the Committee, a midterm report no later than 28 February 2019, a final report no later than 15 August 2019, and periodic updates in between, as appropriate;

“5.   Reaffirms the reporting and review provisions as set out in resolution 2374 (2017);

“6.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”