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Mali: UN chief proposes African Union peacekeepers
This could lead to a U.N. stabilization mission once critical benchmarks have been met and he identified several possibilities including an end to major combat operations, a reduction in threats from armed groups, the ability to safely deploy U.N. civilian staff, AFISMA’s capabilities, extension of the Malian government’s authority throughout the country, and progress toward presidential and legislative elections.
In the other option, Ban said a U.N. peacekeeping force would operate mainly in the north under robust rules of engagement with a mandate to protect civilians “under imminent threat of physical violence.” He said the bulk of AFISMA troops would transfer to the U.N. force, which would also include 1,440 police officers.
“Given the anticipated level and nature of the residual threat, there would be a fundamental requirement for a parallel force to operate in Mali alongside the United Nations mission in order to conduct major combat and counter-terrorism operations and provide specialist support beyond the scope of the United Nations’ mandate and capability,” Ban said.
He said “it is critical” that there is a clear distinction between the tasks of the two forces.
“Any blurring of this distinction would place severe constraints on the ability of United Nations humanitarian, development and human rights personnel to safely do their work,” Ban warned.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press
