PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
UN Security Council tasks Mali military junta on ECOWAS pact
New York, US (PANA) -The UN Security Council on Tuesday urged the military junta
who seized control of the government in Mali to immediately implement the agreement
signed last week with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS),
which provides a series of steps to restore constitutional order in the country.
In a statement, made available to PANA in NewYork, the members of the Council
reaffirmed the need "to uphold and respect the sovereignty, unity and territorial
integrity of Mali and reject categorically any declarations to the contrary". It also
demanded "an immediate cessation of hostilities in the north of Mali by rebel
groups".
The Council condemned all violence against humanitarian workers after reports that seven Algerian diplomats were abducted in the town of Gao in northern Mali last week.
It called for the immediate release of all abductees and renewed its call to
all parties in Mali to seek a peaceful solution through appropriate political dialogue.
In addition, it reaffirmed its support for efforts made by ECOWAS and its
mediator, the President of Burkina Faso, Blaise Compaore, as well as by the
Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, Said Djinnit,
and by the African Union, to initiate concrete steps to restore peace and
security and protect the sovereignty of Mali.
The Council also reiterated its "serious concern" over the rapidly deteriorating
humanitarian situation in the country, and expressed deep concern at the
increased terrorist threats in the north due to the presence among the rebels
of members of the terrorist group Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and
extremist elements.
Last month, rebel Malian soldiers took control of the country and announced the
dissolution of the government led by President Amadou Toumani Toure.
The country is also dealing with renewed fighting in the north between government
forces and Tuareg rebels, which has uprooted more than 200,000 people since
January.
The Tuareg rebels last week declared northern Mali an independent state called Azawas
-0- PANA AA 10April2012
who seized control of the government in Mali to immediately implement the agreement
signed last week with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS),
which provides a series of steps to restore constitutional order in the country.
In a statement, made available to PANA in NewYork, the members of the Council
reaffirmed the need "to uphold and respect the sovereignty, unity and territorial
integrity of Mali and reject categorically any declarations to the contrary". It also
demanded "an immediate cessation of hostilities in the north of Mali by rebel
groups".
The Council condemned all violence against humanitarian workers after reports that seven Algerian diplomats were abducted in the town of Gao in northern Mali last week.
It called for the immediate release of all abductees and renewed its call to
all parties in Mali to seek a peaceful solution through appropriate political dialogue.
In addition, it reaffirmed its support for efforts made by ECOWAS and its
mediator, the President of Burkina Faso, Blaise Compaore, as well as by the
Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, Said Djinnit,
and by the African Union, to initiate concrete steps to restore peace and
security and protect the sovereignty of Mali.
The Council also reiterated its "serious concern" over the rapidly deteriorating
humanitarian situation in the country, and expressed deep concern at the
increased terrorist threats in the north due to the presence among the rebels
of members of the terrorist group Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and
extremist elements.
Last month, rebel Malian soldiers took control of the country and announced the
dissolution of the government led by President Amadou Toumani Toure.
The country is also dealing with renewed fighting in the north between government
forces and Tuareg rebels, which has uprooted more than 200,000 people since
January.
The Tuareg rebels last week declared northern Mali an independent state called Azawas
-0- PANA AA 10April2012
