Security Council looks forward to weekend signing of Mali peace accord by armed groups

The United Nations Security Council, reiterating today its support to the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, said it looked forward to the expected signing of the accord this weekend by the so-called ‘Coordination’ armed groups.

“Recognizing the aspiration of all Malian citizens to enjoy lasting peace and development, the members of the Security Council urged the Coordination and Plateforme armed groups to refrain from any action that could undermine the peace process and to demonstrate responsibility and courage in the supreme interest of peace in Mali,” the Council said in a press statement.

Council members “reiterated their support to the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali and looked forward to its signing by the Coordination armed groups on 20 June 2015, thereby completing the signing process.”

They also expressed their concern over the security situation in and around Menaka in eastern Mali, and urged the Plateforme armed groups to withdraw immediately their forces from the city and to sign the accord.

The Security Council established the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in April 2013 to support political processes in that country and carry out a number of security-related tasks.