Roundup: Resolving crisis in Mali dependent on inclusive, viable political accord between parties: top UN official

A senior UN official said here Thursday that resolving crisis in Mali relies on an inclusive, viable political agreement between parties of the West African country, and he called for greater world efforts to make the dialogue possible among the Malian parties for a political solution the crisis.

The international community must continue to support dialogue between the Malian parties to achieve a political solution to the crisis to which they would all adhere, Herve Lasous, the UN under- secretary-general for peacekeeping operations said as he was briefing the UN Security Council on the current situation in Mali.

"The crisis in Mali can only be resolved through an inclusive and viable political agreement that can be implemented," Ladsous said.

Ladsous underlined the historical opportunity currently present in Mali because the international community had shown willingness to accompanying the parties in reaching and implementing a peace agreement. He called on the parties to seize that opportunity to reach a settlement.

Since a military coup struck Mali in March 2012, its northern region has served as a stronghold of the rebels. Mali is now in the process of restoring democracy with the help of the United Nations and African regional bodies, including the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Despite initial security improvements in 2013, the situation in northern Mali has deteriorated since the beginning of 2014. An increase in incidents involving improvised explosive devices, mostly targeting Malian and international security forces, has impeded the return to normalcy and resumption of economic and development activities.

Two of the three Malian parties -- the government and the so- called "Platform" of northern movements -- had initialed the text of a draft peace agreement on March 1, following the fifth round of inter-Malian dialogue in Algiers, capital of Algeria, Ladsous said.

The other coalition of northern movements known as the " Coordination", however, requested more time to consult with their constituency, he said.

Talks had continued between the Coordination and the international mediators, and the coalition had indicated it, too, would sign next week on the understanding that further talks to clarify modalities of the agreement would follow. That was not certain at this point however, he said.

As progress toward a negotiated solution advanced, it was critical that the Malian parties, supported by the mediators, begin putting in place a detailed framework and calendar of implementation, he said, adding that clear and robust implementation mechanisms would build confidence.

Unfortunately, the security situation remained a challenge, on Feb. 19, the parties recommitted themselves to the ceasefire and it was holding so far. No party should seek to gain ground militarily as peace was only possible through negotiation, and he urged those that had not cooperated with the ceasefire monitoring bodies to do so.

"Extremism and criminality thrive in the lack of law and order, " he said, stressing that it was critical that all parties distance themselves from violent and illicit activities in the war- torn country.

The Security Council must also emphasize that point since the last Security Council meeting on Mali, three more peacekeepers had lost their lives, he said.

Speaking on deployment of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), he said efforts were ongoing to scale up operations in the northern regions.

The military component had now reached 80 percent of authorized deployment and that figure should rise significantly in the weeks to come. At the same time, infrastructure was being built, though hampered by security challenges.

MINUSMA was established in 2013 by a Security Council resolution to support the political process and carry out security- related stabilization tasks in Mali. The peacekeeping force comprises more than 9,800 military personnel and police as of the end of February.

The Malian government had played its part in good faith in the Algiers peace process along with the Platform of northern movements, while the Coordination group had refused to join, defying the international community, which had worked for eight months on forging an agreement, he said.

The refusal endangers the peace and favoured terrorists and organized criminals, he warned. That could be seen in the deadly attacks in Bamako and elsewhere.

In initialing the draft agreement, the government had shown its willingness to compromise in favor of the territorial integrity, sovereignty, unity and democracy of the country, he said.

Outreach campaigns had engaged all sectors of the population to obtain support for the process by the vast majority of Malians. The momentum must not be lost. Malians were weary of war and wanted peace. "Above all, they want to be heard, understood and respected," he said.

He believed that most of the Coordination group wanted peace, as well, but their voices were being drowned out by extremists.

The Security Council should assist all those who wanted peace by helping move the agreement forward. "There is no alternative to peace, and for that, there is no alternative to this agreement, he said, adding that an April signing by all parties was critical. Endite