Security Council extends peacekeeping force in Mali for year

U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Monday to extend mandate of U.N. peacekeeping force in Mali for a year and called for a long-term and detailed plan for it to hand over security responsibilities and leave West African nation.

resolution opted by 15-member council said priority of peacekeeping mission remains to support implementation of Mali’s 2015 peace agreement signed by three parties — government, a coalition of groups called Coordination of Movements of Azaw that includes ethnic Arabs and Tuaregs who seek automy in rrn Mali, and a pro-government militia kwn as Platform.

resolution recognized “some progress" in past six months but expressed impatience over delays in full implementation of agreement.

Mali has been in turmoil since a 2012 uprising prompted mutius soldiers to overthrow president of a dece. power vacuum that resulted led to an Islamic insurgency and a French-led military intervention that ousted jihists from power in 2013.

But insurgents remain active in West African nation, and Mali is also under threat from extremists affiliated with Islamic State movement. extremists have been moving from arid rth into country’s more populated center since 2015, stoking animosity and dely ethnic violence.

resolution underlines “that lasting peace and security in Sahel region will t be achieved without a combination of political, security and development efforts benefiting all regions of Mali.”

Security Council extended mandate of 15,600-strong U.N. force until June 30, 2021, and urged signatories to peace agreement to act on priorities by that date, including disarming and demobilizing armed groups and reintegrating m into country’s reformed security forces. It also urged constitutional reform and or issues be settled so regional elections can be held.

resolution urged Malian authorities to reestablish government’s authority in central Mali by June 30, 2021, by deploying and making security forces fully operational, instituting basic social services and judicial bodies, and holding trials for individuals accused of massacres in 2019 and 2020 that killed hundreds of civilians.

Security Council asked Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to coordinate with ors on a long-term ro map assessing situation in Mali focused on producing benchmarks and conditions, including progress in implementing peace agreement. council said map expected by March 31, 2021, would open way for mission to exit Mali without jeopardizing its security.