Mali: MINUSMA mandate renewed

17 July 2015

FIDH and its member organization AMDH welcome the extension of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali's (MINUSMA) mandate by the Security Council until June 30, 2016.

Resolution 2227, unanimously approved by the Security Council, refocuses the MINUSMA mandate on the implementation of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement concluded during the Algiers negotiations and signed by all parties between 15 May and 20 June 20 2015, while maintaining its important mission of protecting civilians in danger and documenting serious human rights violations.

"The coming months are crucial to strengthening the foundation of sustainable and lasting peace and re-establishing the rule of law in Mali. In this context, it is urgent for the international community to take the necessary steps to fund and support the implementation of the Peace Agreement. Furthermore, the success of the national process will depend on the active mobilization of the driving forces of the nation, including the Malian civil society, in the implementation process," said Karim Lahidji, FIDH President.

In this regard, FIDH and AMDH were pleased that the resolution includes many of their recommendations, especially the need to deploy staff specialized in the protection of children and women, and to assist victims of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence.

The resolution also provides for a substantial increase in the number of peacekeeping troops and equipment to better secure the country and particularly the northern regions that are still targeted by armed groups.

Our organizations have called on the international community to make additional efforts in capacity building for the mission and welcome the Security Council's decision to provide for the deployment of additional troops and 40 military observers to monitor and supervise the ceasefire arrangements throughout the country.

In the sensitive context of the return of peace, FIDH and AMDH are pleased that the Security Council has not lost sight of the great necessity for the Malian authorities to prosecute and punish the perpetrators of serious human rights violations on the national territory and also to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

"In accordance with resolution 2227, it is time to put an end to the release of alleged perpetrators of crime violations of international law and other violations of the peace agreement, specifically its article 46 that excludes amnesty. In this regard, the Monitoring Committee of the Algiers Agreement has a leading role to play in explaining that the fight against impunity is crucial to the establishment of lasting peace and that the perpetrators of crimes must be held accountable, regardless of their current or future position," said Moctar MARIKO, AMDH President.

The Algiers Agreement, signed by Government of Mali, the Plateforme coalition of armed groups, the Coordination des Mouvements de l'Azawad coalition of armed groups and the international mediation team on 15 May, and by the Coalition of the movements of Azawad (CMA) on 20 June 2015, must bring an end to 4 years of a conflict between armed separatist and jihadist groups and the government forces in the North of Mali. Despite the presence of the UN mission and international forces in Mali, insecurity and confrontation between the warring parties has caused the death of more than 150 individuals since early 2015 in the North of Mali, according to FIDH and AMDH. Resolution 2227 was adopted at a time when the number of terrorist attacks was growing in the South of Mali, which had been spared of violence until March 2015.

Last Update: 17 July