{"id":6541,"date":"2021-07-01T05:57:54","date_gmt":"2021-07-01T05:57:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imaniradio.org\/un-prolongs-mali-peacekeeping-mission-calls-for-february-vote-2\/"},"modified":"2021-07-01T05:57:54","modified_gmt":"2021-07-01T05:57:54","slug":"un-prolongs-mali-peacekeeping-mission-calls-for-february-vote-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imaniradio.org\/un-prolongs-mali-peacekeeping-mission-calls-for-february-vote-2\/","title":{"rendered":"UN Prolongs Mali Peacekeeping Mission, Calls For February Vote"},"content":{"rendered":"
The UN Security Council on Tuesday extended its Mali peacekeeping mission until the end of June 2022, insisting on a return to civilian rule and for elections on February 27.<\/p>\n
The resolution drafted by France to that effect was adopted unanimously and provides for a renewed mandate for the MINUSMA peacekeeping mission at its current strength of maximum 13,289 soldiers and 1,920 police.<\/p>\n
After announcing the end of its Barkhane mission in the war-torn Sahel state, former colonial power France had hoped to be able to increase the strength of MINUSMA by a few thousand peacekeepers but the June 30 deadline for the end of the mission came too soon for it to secure a green light from the US Congress for extra UN spending in Mali.<\/p>\n
The resolution calls on the UN Secretary-General for a report no later than July 15 \u201cin light of the growing level of insecurity and physical violence against the civilian populations in Central Mali,\u201d with recommendations on possibly beefing up the peacekeeping force.<\/p>\n
It also asks the Malian transitional government to organize \u201cfree and fair presidential, as well as legislative, regional and local elections and a constitutional referendum\u201d in February.<\/p>\n
Finally, it stressed that the \u201cHead 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The French ambassador to the UN, Nicolas de Riviere, said the resolution contained \u201cstrong messages regarding Mali\u2019s political transition and the holding of elections on February 27, 2022.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe organization of this election is a top priority,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n