UNITED NATIONS, June 9: Armed groups in Mali continue to pose a serious security threat to the entire region while African troops forming the core of a UN peacekeeping mission deploying next month are not yet properly equipped, the UN chief said in a new report.
France launched a massive military campaign in January which broke al Qaeda-linked Islamist fighters’ control over the northern two-thirds of Mali and allowed the Tuaregs to regain control of their traditional fiefdom of Kidal.
But UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report to the Security Council Yesterday that despite the gains made by French troops, Malian security forces and an African force known as AFISMA, the situation continues to be precarious.
“The situation on the ground remains … Fluid, with sporadic clashes between armed groups and continued asymmetric attacks across the three regions of the north,” Ban said in the report, obtained by Reuters.
“Furthermore the advance of the MDSF (Malian defense and security forces) northwards towards Kidal and the fatal clashes with MNLA (separatist Tuareg) elements on 5 June have exacerbated tensions and increased the volatility of the situation in the region,” it said.
To reduce those renewed tensions, Mali’s government and Tuareg separatists began talks yesterday that both sides said they hoped would lead to a ceasefire ahead of national elections next month and pave the way for a permanent peace deal.
The talks in the capital of neighboring Burkina Faso, due to conclude tomorrow, follow the first fighting in months between Mali’s army and the MNLA rebels this week as government forces advanced toward the Tuaregs’ last stronghold of Kidal in the remote northeast.
Once the UN peacekeeping force, to be known as MINUSMA, is deployed, France will continue to handle counterterrorism and peace enforcement operations as needed in Mali, while the UN blue helmets will handle traditional peacekeeping duties of policing and trying to ensure new violence does not erupt.
In April, the UN Security Council unanimously approved a mandate for the 12,600-strong MINUSMA peacekeeping force from July 1. The force will be supported by French troops if needed to combat Islamist extremist threats.
Deployment of the force will be subject to a council review of security in Mali in late June.
HELICOPTERS NEEDED
Ban said the African troops expected to be moved under UN command next month must still be brought up to UN standards in terms of their equipment and ability to sustain themselves in the landlocked West African country.
“Deployed AFISMA units have been given a grace period of four months to reach the required United Nations standards,” the report said. “Critical gaps remain for attack and utility helicopters as well as for information units.”
He said the UN force could face serious risks on the ground. (agencies)
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