Security Council Press Statement on Mali

The following Security Council statement was issued today by Council President U. Joy Ogwu ( Nigeria):

On 23 April, the members of the Security Council were briefed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali on the situation in Mali.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the “elements of a road map” to end the crisis, distributed by the Malian Government to the Security Council during its visit to Mali, from 1 to 3 February.  They further welcomed the organization of the workshops facilitated by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) following the Security Council’s visit and the adoption on 18 February of a technical document, signed by the representatives of the Government, as well as the signatory and adherent armed groups of the Ouagadougou Preliminary Agreement of 18 June 2013 and the international community, outlining the necessary steps to further the cantonment process as a practical step leading to an effective disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process, in the context of a comprehensive peace settlement.  They called for the swift and full implementation of the cantonment process on this basis.

The members of the Security Council expressed their concern over the lack of progress on the peace talks.  They recalled their resolution 2100 (2013) and, in this regard, called upon the Malian Government and the signatory and adherent armed groups of the 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 urgently agree on a road map 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.  They welcomed in this regard the announcement on 16 April by the Malian President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, of the appointment in the coming days of a representative to negotiate under his authority in such a process.

The members of the Security Council commended the efforts of all regional and international actors, including those who facilitated discussions with the signatory and adherent armed groups, to support the launching of such a negotiation process, which should commence without delay.  They called upon these actors to continue these efforts and to coordinate them, in close coordination with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali and MINUSMA.  They reiterated their full support to the Special Representative 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.

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For information media • not an official record