UN Security Council Adopts Resolution On Northern Mali
https://nigeriaafrica1.blogspot.com/2012/10/un-security-council-adopts-resolution.html
The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution paving the way for military intervention in Mali to retake the north from Islamist extremists.
The resolution requests a detailed plan for such an operation from African organisations within 45 days.
The UN has so far refused to endorse requests for military intervention without details of a plan. Islamist groups and Tuareg rebels took control of the north after Mali's president was overthrown in March.
Both Mali's government and the West African regional body Ecowas have made requests for authorisation for an international force to intervene, with Ecowas proposing a force of 3,000.
It comes a week ahead of a meeting in the capital, Bamako, bringing together Ecowas representatives, the African Union, and the UN secretary-general.
The resolution, drafted by France, requests that "detailed and actionable recommendations" be presented to the Security Council within the specified time.
It also calls on UN member states and regional and international organisations to provide "co-ordinated assistance, expertise, training and capacity-building support" to Mali's armed forces.
A second resolution by the 15-member Council would be required to authorise any action in Mali.
The text also urges Mali's authorities and the rebel groups controlling the north to begin a negotiation process and expresses alarm over the infiltration by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and other extremist groups into the north.
The UN has so far refused to endorse requests for military intervention without details of a plan. Islamist groups and Tuareg rebels took control of the north after Mali's president was overthrown in March.
Both Mali's government and the West African regional body Ecowas have made requests for authorisation for an international force to intervene, with Ecowas proposing a force of 3,000.
It comes a week ahead of a meeting in the capital, Bamako, bringing together Ecowas representatives, the African Union, and the UN secretary-general.
The resolution, drafted by France, requests that "detailed and actionable recommendations" be presented to the Security Council within the specified time.
It also calls on UN member states and regional and international organisations to provide "co-ordinated assistance, expertise, training and capacity-building support" to Mali's armed forces.
A second resolution by the 15-member Council would be required to authorise any action in Mali.
The text also urges Mali's authorities and the rebel groups controlling the north to begin a negotiation process and expresses alarm over the infiltration by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and other extremist groups into the north.
