SC/10698

Security Council
6798th Meeting* (AM)

Gives Full Support to West African States, African Union, Transition; Expresses Readiness to Consider UN Mandate for West African Stabilization Force

Condemning the March seizure of power by some members of the armed forces in Mali, as well as human rights violations by rebels in the north of the Sahelian country, the Security Council this morning called for the creation of a road map for the restoration of constitutional order and State authority throughout its territory.

Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 2056 (2012), the Council expressed full support to the coordinated efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and the Transitional authorities of Mali to face the country’s multiple challenges, which, beside the coup in the capital, Bamako, and fighting in the north, also included threats from Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, it noted.

In that light, the Council, through the text, expressed its readiness to further examine the request of the two regional organizations for a United Nations mandate authorizing the deployment of an ECOWAS stabilization force in Mali to support a political process and support security sector reform and strengthening, calling for all stakeholders to prepare detailed information and options for such a force.

The Council condemned in the strongest possible terms the 21 May assault against Interim President Dioncounda Traoré and, on development of a political road map, it called for the quickest possible safe return to Bamako of the Interim President, taking note of the non-recognition by ECOWAS of the National Council for the Recovery of Democracy and the Restoration of the State (CNRDRE) — the coup leaders — as a legal entity in the transition.

Acknowledging the positive steps taken by Mali towards the restoration of constitutional rule, including signing the 6 April Framework Agreement under the auspices of the ECOWAS mediation, it called for an inclusive national dialogue with political forces and civil society, including legitimate representatives of the northern regions and with the support of regional partners, leading to a framework for transitional tasks, particularly the restructuring of the security sector, and the organization of free and fair elections within 12 months of the signing of the Framework Agreement for the restoration of constitutional order.

On the rebellion in the North, the Council demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities by armed groups along with full access for humanitarian aid, requested the Secretary-General to provide support to ongoing mediation effort, and condemned attacks on the civilian population, sexual violence, recruitment of child soldiers and forced displacement. It acknowledged the cooperation of neighbouring States on humanitarian issues. It urged all parties in Mali to ensure the protection of Mali’s world heritage sites.

On fighting terrorism, the Council urged all rebel groups to refrain from any sort of association with Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, urged Member States to help build security capacity in Mali to reduce the threat, called on all States to undertake measures to stem the proliferation of arms in the Sahel and urged Sahel and Maghreb States to increase cooperation in those areas.

The Council, finally, requested the Secretary-General to develop and implement, in consultation with regional organizations, a United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel region encompassing security, governance, development, human rights and humanitarian issues, with a report on progress made on that request by 15 September 2012.

Following the adoption of the resolution the Chairman of the Commission of ECOWAS, Desire Kadre Ouedraogo, took the floor, calling the action an important first step in facing the challenges of Mali and welcoming the support provided by the Council on the issue in the past few months. The situation, however, worsened with each passing day, he warned. It was for that reason that the heads of State and Government of ECOWAS had decided to initiate work on a road map for political progress, with first parts of the national dialogue for that purpose already planned.

In addition, he said, a technical assessment mission for the deployment of the proposed stabilization force was beginning tomorrow, with participation of the United Nations. A phased deployment process was planned, first to restore constitutional order, then to assist the Malian security forces to restore State authority throughout the territory. Following the assessment, the results of a general planning meeting with the Chief of Staff of ECOWAS would be conveyed to the Security Council.

Sequential phases in dealing with all problems in Mali, including the terrorist threat, must be followed, he added, calling for work to begin as quickly as possible on a second Security Council resolution with specific steps to support the stabilization force and the fight against terrorism in the country.

The meeting began at 10:07 a.m. and ended at 10:25 a.m.