UNITED NATIONS (AFP) The UN Security Council on Friday called for West African nations to produce a “feasible and actionable” military plan to retake northern Mali from Islamist militants.
The call was made in a statement by the 15-nation council which expressed “grave concern” at the “increasing entrenchment of terrorist elements, including Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb” in northern Mali.
Islamist groups and other rebels seized on the chaos of a military coup in Mali in March to take the north of the vast West African country. They have since imposed harsh Islamic law and desecrated Muslim shrines.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on the UN Security Council to back a proposed intervention force for Mali. But the council has repeatedly said it needs more detail on the means and aims of any military operation. Mali’s transitional government must also agree on the force.
This message was reaffirmed in the council statement.
The council said it was ready “to consider a feasible and actionable proposal from ECOWAS” on any military operation agreed with the Mali government.
Alongside the new warning over the spread of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb’s influence in northern Mali, the council urged all rebel groups to cut ties with the Islamists.
“They express their grave concern about the violations of human rights perpetrated by rebel and extremist groups in the north of Mali,” said the statement.
The council also highlighted the frustration of the international community at efforts by the former coup leaders to influence Mali’s new interim government.
“They repeat their demand that all members of Malian armed forces cease immediately any interference in the work of the Transitional authorities,” said the statement.
Following ECOWAS sanctions in Mali, the council said it was ready to “consider appropriate measures as necessary” in the case.
A high level meeting on the crisis in Mali and surrounding Sahel states is to be held on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly summit next Wednesday. France’s President Francois Hollande and several African leaders are to attend.
The French government said Thursday it would provide logistical support for any military intervention in northern Mali.
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