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8129th Security Council Meeting: Peace and Security in Africa
The Security Council today welcomed the steady and rapid progress achieved in making the joint force of the Group of Five Sahel States (G5 Sahel) functional, including through fulfilment of its initial operational capacity on 17 October.
Unanimously adopting resolution 2391 (2017), the Council requested the Secretary‑General to conclude a technical agreement among the United Nations, the European Union and G5 Sahel States [Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger], with a view to providing operational and logistical support through the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to the joint force conducting cross‑border counter‑terrorist operations across the region.
Such support should be subject to full financial reimbursement to the United Nations through a European Union‑coordinated mechanism, the Council stated. It should be conducted at the discretion of the Special Representative for Mali, and without affecting MINUSMA’s capacity to implement its mandate and strategic priorities. It should also be restricted to MINUSMA areas of operation where it was compatible with the Mission’s current capacities.
Concerning legal obligations, joint force operations must be conducted in full compliance with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law. The G5 Sahel States and the joint force must take steps to minimize the risk of harm to civilians, the Council stated, as well as ensure accountability and transfer to criminal justice of those suspected of terrorist and related crimes.
By other terms, the Council called on the G5 Sahel States to establish a robust compliance framework to prevent, investigate, address and publicly report violations and abuses of human rights law and international humanitarian law related to the joint force. Regional and international partners were called on to support those efforts through voluntary contributions, technical assistance and advice.
Expressing deep concern over persistent delays in fully implementing the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, the Council renewed its urgent call to that country and the Plateforme and Coordination armed groups to deliver on their obligations. Engaging in hostilities, in violation of the Agreement, or actions threatening its implementation, constituted a basis for sanctions designations pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017), the Council underlined.
Reaffirming the centrality of the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel in providing a comprehensive framework to strengthen governance, security and development, the Council welcomed the Secretary‑General’s efforts to provide renewed impetus for its implementation through the establishment of the Executive Committee Working Group on the Sahel.
The Council further called on G5 Sahel States to ensure women’s full and equal participation in institutions and mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts, as well as to include a gender perspective in the development of strategies to counter terrorism and organized crime.
After the adoption, Mali’s representative, on behalf of the G5 Sahel States, said the unanimous adoption was part of a favourable dynamic of progressive strengthening of international support for the joint force. He expressed regret, however, that it did not include a more robust mandate under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, larger United Nations assistance in terms of logistics, communications, equipment and infrastructure, predictable and sustainable financing, and extended support for MINUSMA deployment channels. He looked for other expectations to be progressively satisfied as the issue was reviewed.
Mauritania’s representative said his country had made the fight against terrorism and cross‑border crime a priority, and was firmly committed to the principles of the joint force and to making it truly effective. A Chapter VII mandate, adequate and predictable funding, and a comprehensive strategy should be considered, he urged.
Speakers underlined the importance of addressing the causes of conflict, including development and governance aspects. They also stressed that United Nations support to the joint force through MINUSMA must not affect the Mission’s activities, and called for the full, inclusive and effective implementation of the peace agreement in Mali.
Echoing remarks by others, France’s delegate welcomed the resolution, through which MINUSMA would support the joint force. Affirming there could be no lasting stability without full implementation of the peace agreement in Mali, he said the joint force was the right response to the security threat in the Sahel, which affected all stakeholders.
Egypt’s representative expressed regret about differences in the Council over the means of support for the joint force, stressing that the Secretariat should take all measures necessary to enable it to meet its mandate.
Sweden’s representative called on partners to comply with the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, stressing that the Council’s repeated calls for regional ownership should be matched with adequate resources.
At the meeting’s outset, the Council observed a moment of silence, paying tribute to 14 Tanzanian peacekeepers killed and more than 50 people injured in an attack in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The representative of Japan, Council president for December, condemning the attack, conveyed condolences to the families of the victims, and the people and Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Representatives of the United States, United Kingdom, Russian Federation, Italy, China, Ethiopia, Senegal and Japan also spoke.
The meeting started at 3:09 p.m. and ended at 4:07 p.m.
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