United Nations Security Council Resolution 2584 – The situation in Mali

Resolution 2584 (2021)

The Security Council,

Recalling all its previous resolutions, statements of its President and press statements on the situation in Mali,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Mali, emphasizing that the Malian authorities have primary responsibility for the provision of stability, security and protection of civilians throughout the territory of Mali, urging the Malian authorities to uphold their efforts to meet their obligations in that regard, and expressing great concern at the violent and unilateral actions taken by non-State actors hampering the return of State authority and basic social services,

Reaffirming the basic principles of peacekeeping, including consent of the parties, impartiality and non-use of force, except in self-defence and defence of the mandate, recognizing that the mandate of each peacekeeping mission is specific to the need and situation of the country concerned, and recalling its Presidential Statement of 14 May 2018 (S/PRST/2018/10),

Expressing grave concern about the continued deterioration of the political, security and humanitarian situation in Mali, including through the persistence of a high level of attacks by terrorist groups in the North and in the Centre, and the continuation of intercommunal violence in the Centre, which led to human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law and have caused the loss of numerous innocent lives as well as numerous internally displac ed persons and refugees in neighbouring countries, people in critical need of assistance and children without access to education due to school closures, and have hindered humanitarian access, expressing concern over the extension of insecurity to Southern Mali, further expressing concern over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant ongoing food crisis in Mali, and further expressing deep concern that the situation in Mali negatively impacts that of neighbouring countries and of the Sahel region,

Emphasizing that security and stability in Mali are inextricably linked to that of the Sahel and West Africa, as well as to that of Libya and North Africa,

Strongly condemning the continued attacks against civilians, representatives from local, regional and State institutions, as well as national, international and UN security forces, including the Malian Defence and Security Forces (MDSF), the G5 Sahel joint force (FC-G5S), the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the French forces and the European partners, including Task Force Takuba, and the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali), paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made by the soldiers engaged in Mali and the Sahel, especially to those who lost their lives, and calling for continuing support to the MDSF in their fight against terrorism,

Welcoming the appointment of El-Ghassim Wane as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Mali,

Underlining that lasting peace and security in the Sahel region will not be achieved without a combination of political, security, peacebuilding and sustainable development efforts benefitting all regions of Mali, as well as the full, effective and inclusive implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali (“the Agreement”), and ensures full, equal and meaningful participation of women and youth, and welcoming in this regard the increased representation of women in the Comité de suivi de l’Accord (CSA),

Recognizing that an integrated and coherent approach among relevant political, security and developmental actors, within and outside of the United Nations system, consistent with their respective mandates, is critical to building and sustaining peace in Mali and the Sahel welcoming the appointment of a Special Coordinator for development in the Sahel, noting the involvement of the Peacebuilding Commission on the Sahel and recalling the necessity to boost the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS) and the United Nations Support Plan for the Sahel,

Welcoming the Ndjamena Summit of the G5 Sahel and their partners of 16 February 2021 which called for a civil and political surge and further welcoming the steps taken in advancing the “Coalition for the Sahel”, aimed at fighting against terrorism, strengthening the Sahelian States’ military capabilities, supporting the restoration of State authority throughout the territory, and bolstering development assistance, the Takuba Task Force, a multinational special forces task force designed to advise, assist and accompany the MDSF, the Partnership for Security and Stability in the Sahel and the Sahel Alliance,

Recalling the establishment of the transitional arrangements in Mali, including a Transition Charter, a Transition Action Plan, and an election calendar, welcoming the mediation by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the role of the Monitoring Mechanism it has announced to ensure respect of these arrangements, including the electoral calendar unveiled on 15th April 2021,

Strongly condemning the violation of the Transition Charter constituted by the arbitrary arrest of the transitional leaders by elements of the Defense and Security forces on 24 May 2021, calling for the immediate resumption of the inclusive transition in Mali leading to elections and constitutional order within the established 18-month timeline, in accordance with the Transition Charter, including presidential election on 27 February 2022 as per the transition government’s electoral calendar, and taking note of the conclusions of the ECOWAS extraordinary Summit on the political situation in Mali held on 30 May 2021,

Reiterating that the UN and other international partners remain firmly committed to the implementation of the Agreement as a means to achieve long-term peace and stability in Mali, welcoming the updated Feuille de route on the implementation of the Agreement, efforts by the CSA to enhance its role in support of this implementation, and the first two meetings of the CSA outside of Bamako held in Kidal and Kayes, but expressing a significant impatience with parties over the persistent delays in the implementation of the Agreement, which contribute to a political and security vacuum jeopardizing the stability and development of Mali, stressing the need for increased ownership and prioritization in the implementation of the Agreement, and reiterating that engaging in hostilities in violation of the Agreement as well as actions taken that obstruct, or that obstruct by prolonged delay, or that threaten the implementation of the Agreement constitute a basis for sanctions designations pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017), among other designation criteria,

Stressing that stabilization of the situation in Central Mali requires the Malian authorities and relevant stakeholders to agree on and effectively implement a comprehensive politically led strategy, and to pursue simultaneous and coordinated action on security, governance, sustainable development, reconciliation, accountability, as well as protection and promotion of human rights,

Strongly condemning all violations and abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law, including those involving extrajudicial and summary executions, arbitrary arrests and detentions and ill-treatment of prisoners, sexual and gender-based violence, and trafficking in persons, as well as killing, maiming, recruitment and use of children, attacks against schools, humanitarian actors and services, and medical personnel and infrastructure identified as such, and calling upon all parties to bring an end to such violations and abuses and to comply with their obligations under applicable international law,

Reiterating, in this regard, the importance of holding accountable all those responsible for such acts and that some of such acts referred to in the paragraph above may amount to crimes under the Rome Statute, taking note that, acting upon the referral of the transitional authorities of Mali dated 13 July 2012, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened on 16 January 2013 an investigation into alleged crimes committed on the territory of Mali since January 2012, and further taking note of the finalization of the work of the International Commission of Inquiry established in accordance with the Agreement and as requested by resolution 2364 (2017),

Underlining the importance of socio-economic development for sustaining peace in Mali through sustainable economic development including infrastructure development, industrialization, poverty eradication, job creation, agricultural modernization and promotion of entrepreneurship, expressing the need for continued support to Mali taking into account its national priorities and needs, underscoring the importance of the rule of law in support of socio-economic development, and noting that AU PCRD highlights the need for undertaking comprehensive institution-building to enhance good economic governance through the reinforcement of fiscal and financial management institutions in support of effective revenue collection, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and anti-corruption structures to ensure accountability and transparency,

Emphasizing the need for adequate risk assessment and risk management strategies, by the Government of Mali and the United Nations, of ecological changes, natural disasters, drought, desertification, land degradation, food insecurity, energy access, climate change, among other factors, on the security and stability of Mali,

Commending troop- and police– contributing countries of MINUSMA for their contribution, paying tribute to the peacekeepers who risk, as well as lost, their lives in this respect,

Welcoming MINUSMA’s efforts to implement its adaptation plan, with a view to integrating all mission components and increasing its protection, mobility, reactivity and flexibility, notably by setting-up a Mobile Task Force,

Expressing concern over reports of some training and capabilities shortfalls of MINUSMA units, undeclared caveats, non-compliance with orders, and emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability of the mission’s performance,

Recognizing that, in light of the specific and challenging environment in which it is deployed, MINUSMA interacts with other security presences which have the potential to be mutually beneficial instruments to restore peace and stability in Mali and the Sahel region,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2021/519) and the letter of the Secretary-General (S/2021/520),

Determining that the situation in Mali continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

Adopted by the Security Council at its 8809th meeting, on 29 June 2021.