United Nations Security Council Resolution 2590 – The situation in Mali

Resolution 2590 (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 and security throughout the territory of Mali, and underscoring the importance of achieving national ownership of peace- and security-related initiatives,

Recalling the provisions of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali (“the Agreement”) calling upon the Security Council to give its full support to the Agreement, to closely monitor its implementation and, if necessary, to take measures against anyone hindering the implementation of the commitments contained therein or the realization of its objectives,

Reiterating that the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 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 routeon the implementation of the Agreement and the efforts by the Comité de suivi de l’Accord (CSA) to enhance its role in support of this implementation, but expressing 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 further stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all the mechanisms established by the Agreement to support and monitor its implementation,

Expressing grave concern about the continued deterioration of the political situation in Mali, in particular following the mutiny of 18 August 2020 and the violation of the Transition Charter of 24 May 2021, both of which the Security Council condemned, recalling the establishment of the transitional arrangements in Mali, including a Transition Charter, a Transition Action Plan, and an election calendar unveiled on 15 April 2021, calling on all Malian stakeholders to facilitate the full realization of the Political Transition and the handover of power to elected civilian authorities, urging the Malian authorities to implement these arrangements within the established 18-month timeline, including the organization of the presidential election on 27 February 2022 as per the electoral calendar, reiterating decisions that the Head of the Transition, the Vice-president and the Prime minister of the Transition should not under any circumstances be candidates for the forthcoming presidential election, and welcoming the mediation by ECOWAS and the role of the Monitoring Mechanism it has announced,

Expressing great concern at the violent and unilateral actions taken by non-State actors in Mali hampering the return of State authority and basic social services,

Strongly condemning the activities in Mali and the Sahel region of ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida-linked terrorist organizations such as Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), IS in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), and Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM),

Strongly condemning all abuses and violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in Mali, including those involving sexual violence in conflict and the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, calling upon all parties to bring an end to such violations and abuses and to comply with their obligations under applicable international law,

Stressing that the measures imposed by this resolution are not intended to have adverse humanitarian consequences for the civilian population of Mali,

Recalling the need for Member States to ensure that all measures taken by them to implement this resolution comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international refugee law, as applicable,

Recalling the provisions of resolution 2584 (2021) urging the Malian parties to take immediate and concrete action, in a spirit of genuine cooperation, to fulfil the priority measures listed in its paragraph 4 before the end of MINUSMA’s current mandate, encouraging the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017) (“the Panel of Experts”) to identify parties responsible for potential lack of implementation of these priority measures through its regular reporting and interim updates, and expressing its intent, should these priority measures not be implemented by the end of MINUSMA’s current mandate, to respond with measures pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017) on individuals and entities who are thus obstructing or threatening the implementation of the Agreement,

Stressing that all parties to the Agreement share the primary responsibility to make steadfast progress in its implementation,

Taking note of the decisions of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017) concerning Mali (“the Committee”) of 20 December 2018 and 10 July 2019 that several individuals be placed on the list of individuals and entities subject to measures pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017) (“the 2374 Sanctions List”) and further taking note of the intention of the Committee to consider the removal of these individuals from the 2374 Sanctions List if the priority measures listed in paragraph 4 of resolution 2584 (2021) are fully implemented and the individuals designated cease all illicit activities, including those listed in the statement of case, while stressing that the Security Council has not yet seen sufficient progress to merit such consideration,

Reiterating its call for all States, particularly Mali and those in the region, to actively implement the measures contained in this resolution,

Reiterating that individuals or entities placed on the 2374 Sanctions List shall not benefit from any financial, operational or logistical support from United Nations entities deployed in Mali, until their removal from the 2374 Sanctions List and without prejudice to the exemptions set by paragraphs 2, 5, 6 and 7 of resolution 2374 (2017), and welcoming the measures already taken by United Nations entities deployed in Mali to ensure these individuals or entities do not benefit from such support,

Taking note of the final report (S/2021/714) of the Panel of Experts,

Noting the importance of continued cooperation and information exchange between the Panel of Experts and all other United Nations entities operating in Mali, within their mandates and capabilities,

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

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

1. Decides to renew until 31 August 2022 the measures as set out in paragraphs 1 to 7 of resolution 2374 (2017);

2. Reaffirms that these measures shall apply to individuals and entities as designated by the Committee, as set forth in paragraphs 8 and 9 of resolution 2374 (2017), including for involvement in planning, directing, or committing acts in Mali that violate international humanitarian law, which may include attacks against medical personnel or humanitarian personnel;

3. Decides to extend until 30 September 2022 the mandate of the Panel of Experts, as set out in paragraphs 11 to 15 of resolution 2374 (2017), as well as the request to MINUSMA, as set out in paragraph 16 of resolution 2374 (2017), expresses its intention to review the mandate and take appropriate action regarding its further extension no later than 31 August 2022, and requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary administrative measures as expeditiously as possible to re-establish the Panel of Experts, in consultation with the Committee, drawing, as appropriate, on the expertise of the current members of the Panel of Experts;

4. Requests the Panel of Experts to provide to the Council, after discussion with the Committee, a midterm report no later than 28 February 2022, a final report no later than 15 August 2022, and periodic updates in between, as appropriate;

5. Reaffirms the reporting and review provisions as set out in resolution 2374 (2017) and requests the Secretary-General to include in his December 2021 report on MINUSMA an update on the measures taken to ensure that sanctioned individuals do not benefit from any support from United Nations entities deployed in Mali;

6. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

Adopted by the Security Council at its 8844th meeting, on 30 August 2021.