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Conclusions of the Ministerial Meeting on the Implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali originating from the Algiers process

1. On 20 September 2017, the United Nations and the Government of the Republic of Mali jointly organised a Ministerial Meeting on the implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali originating from the Algiers process. The meeting was opened by the President of the Republic of Mali, H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterres.  

2. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria, H.E. Mr. Abdelkader Messahel, the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, H.E. Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mr. Moussa Faki, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, H.E. Ms. Federica Mogherini, and the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), H.E. Mr. Marcel Alain de Souza, were present and delivered opening remarks.

3. The other members of the international mediation, the members of the Security Council and MINUSMA troop- and police-contributing countries also took part in the meeting.

4. Participants observed a minute of silence in memory of all the victims who have lost their lives in Mali.

5. Following the opening session, the meeting was co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali, H.E. Mr. Abdoulaye Diop and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria, H.E. Mr. Abdelkader Messahel, together with the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

6. Recalling that the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali originating from the Algiers process offers the best avenue to ensure respect for national unity, territorial integrity and State sovereignty as well as its republican and secular nature, with the view to establish sustainable peace in Mali, participants took note of the substantial progress made in its implementation since the Ministerial Meeting of 23 September 2016. They noted, among others, the holding of the Conference for national understanding, the establishment of the National Integration and Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commissions and the National Council for Security Sector Reform (SSR) as well as the efforts underway to pursue institutional reforms, notably the establishment of the second chamber of parliament in line with the provisions of the Peace Agreement and on an inclusive basis. Also, noting that the implementation of the Peace Agreement had entered in its third year, participants stressed the need for additional progress in the coming months.  

7. Participants welcomed the Commitments signed on the same day by the signatory armed groups, including the definitive cessation of hostilities and the relaunch of the finalization of the timeline for the full implementation of the Peace Agreement. They stressed the full operationalization of interim authorities and the establishment of the mixed patrols in Kidal and Timbuktu. They strongly condemned the human rights abuses and violations and urged all signatory parties to respect international humanitarian and human rights law. They asked the Malian Government to further reinforce its efforts to fight impunity. They also urged signatory armed groups to safeguard humanitarian access so as to ensure the delivery of crucial humanitarian assistance to communities affected by conflict.

8. In this regard, they insisted on the need to swiftly establish the International Commission of Inquiry and the Independent Observer, envisioned by the Agreement. They further noted with satisfaction the adoption by the Security Council of resolution 2374 (2017) establishing a sanctions regime targeting those obstructing the implementation of the Agreement.

9. Participants expressed their concern in the face of the deterioration of the security situation and condemned terrorist acts committed by the enemies of peace against the civilian population, Malian defense and security forces (MDSF) as well as peacekeepers and international forces with a view to derailing the implementation of the Agreement.

10. Noting that the two-year interim period had elapsed, participants stressed the need to accelerate the establishment of the institutional architecture envisioned by the Peace Agreement.

11. To this end, they insisted on the importance of an inclusive, permanent and effective dialogue between the signatory parties in order to ensure the consensual implementation of the Peace Agreement and encouraged the Government of Mali and other signatory parties to  accelerate i) the process of establishing the second chamber of Parliament whose missions and composition favour the promotion of the objectives of the Agreement; ii) the swift and sustainable process of cantonment, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of signatory armed movements including the development of a roadmap on SSR addressing the security governance deficits that are at the roots of the crisis; iii) the process of operationalisation of collectivités territoriales with further consultations for the adoption and implementation of the Code des collectivités territoriales; and iv) the redeployment of reconstituted MDSF in a gradual manner in all northern regions under the lead of the Mécanisme opérationnel de coordination (MOC) with the support of MINUSMA.

12. Participants stressed the importance of holding local and regional elections as provided by the Peace Agreement and the electoral calendar. They also noted the need for women to be represented in all national and local institutions as per the gender quota law adopted in 2015. In this framework, they also called on the Government of Mali and its international partners to pursue their efforts to strengthen the participation of women and youth in local institutions and administrations including the local and regional councils and Comités consultatifs locaux de sécurité (CCLS) envisioned by the Peace Agreement in order to enhance trust in local institutions and administrations and facilitate social cohesion.

13. Participants expressed serious concern over the worsening insecurity in the centre of Mali and its incidence on access to education. Welcoming the Government's integrated security plan for the central regions, they concurred that only a multidimensional approach addressing governance, security, justice, social cohesion and socio-economic aspects may stabilize the situation. Participants welcomed the support foreseen by MINUSMA, the European Union and others aimed at supporting Malian authorities in protecting civilians and ensuring equal and unhindered access of all Malian citizens to basic public services.  

14. Recalling the positive impact of the high level meeting of the Comité de suivi de l’accord (CSA) convened by Algeria in February 2017, participants stressed the importance of sustained support by the international community to the implementation of the Peace Agreement. They expressed their full support for Algeria and the other members of the international mediation in their efforts to facilitate the acceleration of the implementation of the key institutional reforms envisioned by the Peace Agreement. Participants deplored that the delays met in the implementation of the peace agreement negatively impacted the regional security situation. They commended the key roles played by the African Union, ECOWAS and the G5 Sahel as well as the determination of the G5 Sahel to assume responsibility and lead efforts for the stabilization of the region. Participants noted the need of ensuring complementarity of action between the Joint Force, MINUSMA and Operation Barkhane.

15. Participants expressed gratitude for the contribution of troop- and police-contributing countries (T/PCCs) to MINUSMA. Welcoming the holding of the MINUSMA Force Generation Conference in May, participants called for continued support to the Secretariat’s efforts to ensure that MINUSMA achieve its proactive and robust posture and fully implement its mandate, including through securing the necessary equipment and ensuring adequate pre-deployment training. Participants invited TCCs and PCCs to enhance the proportion of women in their contingents.

16. Participants welcomed the role played by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and MINUSMA in supporting the implementation of the peace agreement, through good offices and support to the redeployment of State authority, including MDSF. Participants further acknowledged the contributions of the United Nations Country Team, as well as of other humanitarian and development partners. They welcomed the development by MINUSMA and the United Nations Country Team, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2364 (2017), of a transition plan, based on comparative advantages, as MINUSMA increasingly focused its efforts on its core mandate of good offices, support to the restoration and extension of State authority and protection of civilians. In this context, participants called on donors to extend the necessary support to address the needs of communities affected by conflict and help humanitarian and development actors enhance their action in northern and central Mali. 

Distributed by APO on behalf of United Nations - Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
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