OPTIONS FOR FUTURE UN INVOLVEMENT IN RESOLVING MALI CRISIS PRESENTED TO SECURITY COUNCIL

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From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 3 Apr 2013 14:00:00 -0400
Subject: OPTIONS FOR FUTURE UN INVOLVEMENT IN RESOLVING MALI CRISIS
PRESENTED TO SECURITY COUNCIL
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

OPTIONS FOR FUTURE UN INVOLVEMENT IN RESOLVING MALI CRISIS PRESENTED
TO SECURITY COUNCIL
New York, Apr 3 2013 2:00PM
The United Nations political chief today stressed the need to tackle
an array of political, governance and security challenges to help
resolve the crisis in Mali, as he outlined Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon's options for a possible UN peace and security presence in the
country, including the deployment of a UN stabilization mission.

"The serious and inter-linked challenges that confront Mali require
concerted and broad-based efforts by the Malian authorities and its
people, together with significant international support,"
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman told the
Security Council, as he briefed the 15-member body on Mr. Ban's
proposals.

"They go beyond addressing security threats and require tackling the
deep-rooted political, governance, development and humanitarian
challenges that are not susceptible to any easy solution," he added.

In his report on the situation in Mali, the Secretary-General proposes
two options for UN engagement in the country, where renewed fighting
since January 2012 has uprooted hundreds of thousands of people and
prompted the Malian Government to request assistance from France to
stop the military advance of extremist groups.

Under the first option, a UN multidimensional integrated political
presence would operate alongside AFISMA, the African-led International
Support Mission in Mali, which the Council authorized in December, at
the request of the Government, to support national efforts to recover
the north from the insurgents.

The UN, noted Mr. Feltman, would also continue its political and human
rights activities under a strengthened political mission, focusing on
good offices, support for mediation and national and community
dialogues; assistance to the electoral process; promotion of respect
for human rights, including with respect to women and children; and
support for AFISMA. Under this option, AFISMA would be responsible for
security, together with bilateral military efforts.

The second option involves the establishment of a UN multidimensional
integrated stabilization mission under a Chapter VII mandate alongside
a parallel force. In addition to a political mandate, the mission
would carry out security-related stabilization tasks, protect
civilians and create the conditions for the provision of humanitarian
assistance.

"Under this second option, the bulk of AFISMA would be re-hatted under
this UN stabilization mission. Most of the military, police and
civilian components would operate in the north, with a light presence
in Bamako," said Mr. Feltman.

"Given the anticipated level and nature of the residual threat, there
would be a fundamental requirement for a parallel force to operate in
Mali alongside the UN stabilisation mission to conduct major combat
and counter-terrorism operations and provide specialist support beyond
the scope of the UN mandate and capability," he added.

The two options can be viewed as phases in the gradual process of
transition from the current situation to a UN stabilisation mission
deployed alongside a parallel force, he said. "They take into account
the fact that the UN is operating in a new geopolitical context and
faces threats that have not been encountered before in a peacekeeping
context.

"The situation on the ground remains fluid, and extremists and
criminal elements continue to pose a significant threat to the safety
and security of civilians and UN personnel in Mali."

Mr. Feltman also noted that, under either option, the UN would
maintain a strong focus on the political aspects linked to the
creation of suitable conditions for elections and reconciliation. The
UN has offered its support for the holding of free, fair, transparent
and credible polls, which interim President Dioncounda Traoré says he
intends to hold by 31 July 2013.

"We agree fully with the Malian authorities that a legitimate
government reflecting the will of Mali's diverse population needs to
be in place by the end of 2013, and we encourage continued
consultations among Malian actors to achieve that goal. The
Secretary-General is firmly committed to the UN doing its part to
support that objective," he stated.

On the humanitarian front, he reported that while access has improved
in some parts of the country, the situation remains "highly volatile,"
particularly in Timbuktu and Gao. Currently, more than 470,000 people
are estimated to have fled and sought refuge either in Malian host
communities or in neighbouring countries.

Also, while arbitrary acts of violence against Tuaregs and Arabs have
recently decreased, there is still a risk of reprisal against members
of these communities, who are alleged to be associated with the armed
groups. "Worryingly, it appears from reports that new patterns of
human rights violations have emerged, including retaliatory attacks
based on ethnicity," said Mr. Feltman.

He added that the most significant development in the political
process remains the adoption in January of a Roadmap for the
Transition, which highlights two priority tasks for the transitional
Government: the restoration of territorial integrity and the
organization of free and fair elections.

The Roadmap also provides for reform of the armed forces and dialogue
with groups who renounce terrorism and adhere to the unitary nature of
Mali and its constitution.

In that connection, Mr. Feltman noted that the UN Office in Mali
(UNOM), which deployed in January, is providing good offices aimed at
facilitating contacts between the Government and those groups that
wish to take part in the search for a political solution to the
crisis.

"It is of critical importance to ensure the security imperative does
not detract from the primacy of politics in Mali, in both the short
and long term. In addition to national dialogue, multiple dialogues
need to take place between and within communities and between various
actors, including the Malian armed forces."
Apr 3 2013 2:00PM
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