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Mali: U.N. Security Council approves ECOWAS, AU military intervention
Another resolution authorizing deployment and backing of the African peacekeeping force would have to come later, after Ban sends specific recommendations to the Security Council.
The main thrust of the plan is likely to be hammered out at an October 19 meeting in Bamako, Mali, of representatives of the United Nations, the Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS), the African Union and neighboring countries.
The Economic Community of West African States and Mali’s transitional government asked the Security Council in September to authorize a military intervention to oust the al-Qaeda linked Islamists. But the council said it wanted the West African group to prepare a “feasible” plan with “detailed options” for a force, and to coordinate with other African nations.
French President Francois Hollande said Thursday that any military intervention must be carried out only by Africans. He emphasized France’s willingness to provide material and training, but said “There will be no (French) troops on the ground.”
Mali’s democratically elected leader was ousted in a military coup in March. The junta accused him of failing to quell a rebellion in the north, which began in January. After the coup, Tuareg rebels took advantage of the power vacuum and within weeks took control of the north, aided by an Islamist faction. But the Islamists quickly ousted the Tuaregs and took control of half the country.
Friday’s resolution urges the transitional authorities and Malian secular rebel groups such as the Tauregs to cut off their ties to al-Qaeda and negotiate as soon as possible “in order to seek a sustainable political solution” to the crisis.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
