Security Council resolution 2085 (2012) [on authorization of the deployment of an African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) for an initial period of 1 year]
Symbol: S/RES/2085 (2012)
Date: 2012-12-20
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/67 [225] MALI--POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Subjects: African-led International Support Mission in Mali|African-led International Support Mission in Mali > Terms of reference|African-led International Support Mission in Mali > Financing|Economic Community of West African States|African Union|UN|Qaida (Organization)|Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|POLITICAL CONDITIONS|INTERNAL SECURITY|MALI|MEDIATION|ARMED FORCES|NEGOTIATION|STAFF SECURITY|HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE|HUMAN RIGHTS IN ARMED CONFLICTS|TRUST FUNDS|SUPPORT SERVICES
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: AZERBAIJAN
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: COLOMBIA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GERMANY
vote: yes
country: GUATEMALA
vote: yes
country: INDIA
vote: yes
country: MOROCCO
vote: yes
country: PAKISTAN
vote: yes
country: PORTUGAL
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SOUTH AFRICA
vote: yes
country: TOGO
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                   S/RES/2085 (2012)
               Security Council                                                 Distr.: General
                                                                                20 December 2012




               Resolution 2085 (2012)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 6898th meeting, on
               20 December 2012

                    The Security Council,
                    Recalling its resolutions 2056 (2012) and 2071 (2012), its Presidential
               Statements of 26 March 2012 (S/PRST/2012/7), 4 April 2012 (S/PRST/2012/9) as
               well as its Press Statements of 22 March 2012, 9 April 2012, 18 June 2012,
               10 August 2012, 21 September 2012, 11 December 2012 on Mali,
                     Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity and territorial
               integrity of Mali,
                     Emphasizing that the situation and entrenchment of terrorist groups and
               criminal networks in the north of Mali continue to pose a serious and urgent threat
               to the population throughout Mali, and to the stability in the Sahel region, the wider
               African region and the international community as a whole,
                     Condemning strongly the continued interference of members of the Malian
               Defence and Security Forces in the work of the Transitional authorities of Mali,
               stressing the need to work expeditiously toward the restoration of democratic
               governance and constitutional order in Mali and taking note of the on-going efforts
               of the Secretary-General, including through the Special Representative of the
               Secretary-General for West Africa, to assist the Transitional authorities of Mali in
               developing a roadmap for the electoral process and national dialogue,
                     Remaining seriously concerned over the insecurity and the significant ongoing
               humanitarian crisis in the Sahel region, which is further complicated by the presence
               of armed groups, including separatist movements, terrorist and criminal networks,
               and their increased activities, as well as the continued proliferation of weapons from
               within and outside the region that threaten peace, security, and stability of States in
               this region,
                     Condemning strongly all abuses of human rights in the north of Mali by armed
               rebels, terrorist and other extremist groups, including those involving violence
               against civilians, notably women and children, killings, hostage-taking, pillaging,
               theft, destruction of cultural and religious sites and recruitment of child soldiers,
               reiterating that some of such acts may amount to crimes under the Rome Statute and
               that their perpetrators must be held accountable and noting that the Transitional
               authorities of Mali referred the situation in Mali since January 2012 to the
               International Criminal Court on 13 July 2012,

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                      Recalling the letter of the Transitional authorities of Mali dated 18 September
                2012 addressed to the Secretary-General, requesting the authorization of
                deployment through a Security Council resolution, under Chapter VII as provided
                by the United Nations Charter, of an international military force to assist the Armed
                Forces of Mali to recover the occupied regions in the north of Mali and recalling
                also the letter of the Transitional authorities of Mali dated 12 October 2012
                addressed to the Secretary-General, stressing the need to support, including through
                such an international military force, the national and international efforts to bring to
                justice the perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the
                north of Mali,
                      Taking note of the endorsement of the Strategic Concept for the Resolution of
                the Crisis in Mali at the second meeting of the Support and Follow-Up Group on the
                Situation in Mali in Bamako on 19 October 2012, attended by ECOWAS Member
                States, countries of the region and other international partners, as well as its
                adoption by the African Union Peace and Security Council on 24 October 2012,
                     Taking note of the final communiqué of the Extraordinary Session of the
                authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government held in Abuja on
                11 November 2012 and of the subsequent communiqué of the African Union Peace
                and Security Council on 13 November 2012 endorsing the Joint Strategic Concept
                of Operations for the International Military Force and the Malian Defence and
                Security forces,
                     Welcoming the appointment of Romano Prodi as Special Envoy of the
                Secretary General for the Sahel, as well as the appointment of Pierre Buyoya as
                High Representative of the African Union for Mali and the Sahel and encouraging
                them to work in close coordination with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the ECOWAS mediator,
                     Welcoming the efforts of the ECOWAS-led mediation, with the support of the
                Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, the Organization of
                Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and neighbouring countries of Mali,
                     Taking note of the Secretary-General’s report on Mali dated 28 November
                2012 (S/2012/894) for continued action on the political and security tracks and a
                comprehensive solution to the crisis affecting Mali,
                      Emphasizing that the Malian authorities have primary responsibility for
                resolving the inter-linked crises facing the country and that any sustainable solution
                to the crisis in Mali should be Malian-led,
                      Encouraging the international community to provide support to resolve the
                crisis in Mali through coordinated actions for immediate and long-term needs,
                encompassing security, development and humanitarian issues,
                     Determining that the situation in Mali constitutes a threat to international
                peace and security,
                     Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

           I.   Political process
                      1.    Urges the transitional authorities of Mali, consistent with the Framework
                agreement of 6 April 2012 signed under the auspices of ECOWAS, to finalize a
                transitional roadmap through broad-based and inclusive political dialogue, to fully



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                 restore constitutional order and national unity, including through the holding of
                 peaceful, credible and inclusive presidential and legislative elections, in accordance
                 with the agreement mentioned above which calls for elections by April 2013 or as
                 soon as technically possible, requests the Secretary-General, in close coordination
                 with ECOWAS and the African Union, to continue to assist the transitional
                 authorities of Mali in the preparation of such a roadmap, including the conduct of an
                 electoral process based on consensually established ground rules and further urges
                 the transitional authorities of Mali to ensure its timely implementation;
                       2.   Demands that Malian rebel groups cut off all ties to terrorist
                 organizations, notably Al-Qaida in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and associated groups,
                 and take concrete and visible steps to this effect, takes note of the listing of
                 Movement of Unity and Jihad in Western Africa (MUJWA) on the Al-Qaida
                 sanctions list established and maintained by the Committee pursuant to resolutions
                 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) and further reiterates its readiness to continue to
                 adopt further targeted sanctions, under the above-mentioned regime, against those
                 rebel groups and individuals who do not cut off all ties to al-Qaida and associated
                 groups, including AQIM and MUJWA;
                       3.   Urges the transitional authorities of Mali to expeditiously put in place a
                 credible framework for negotiations with all parties in the north of Mali who have
                 cut off all ties to terrorist organizations, notably AQIM and associated groups
                 including MUJWA, and who recognize, without conditions, the unity and territorial
                 integrity of the Malian State, and with a view to addressing the long-standing
                 concerns of communities in the north of Mali, and requests the Secretary-General,
                 through his Special Representative for West Africa, in coordination with the
                 ECOWAS Mediator and the High Representative of the African Union for Mali and
                 the Sahel, and the OIC, to take appropriate steps to assist the transitional authorities
                 of Mali to enhance their mediation capacity and to facilitate and strengthen such a
                 dialogue;
                       4.    Condemns the circumstances that led to the resignation of the Prime
                 Minister and the dismissal of the Government on 11 December 2012, reiterates its
                 demand that no member of the Malian Armed Forces should interfere in the work of
                 the Transitional authorities and expresses its readiness to consider appropriate
                 measures, as necessary, against those who take action that undermines the peace,
                 stability, and security, including those who prevent the implementation of the
                 constitutional order in Mali;
                       5.   Calls upon all Member States to implement their obligations pursuant to
                 resolution 1989 (2011) and 2083 (2012) and strongly condemns incidents of
                 kidnapping and hostage taking by Al-Qaida in Mali and across the Sahel region with
                 the aim of raising funds or gaining political concessions;

           II.   Security process
                 Training of Malian forces
                       6.   Emphasises that the consolidation and redeployment of the Malian
                 Defence and Security forces throughout the Malian territory is vital to ensure Mali’s
                 long term security and stability and to protect the people of Mali;
                       7.   Urges Member States, regional and international organizations to provide
                 coordinated assistance, expertise, training, including on human rights and
                 international humanitarian law, and capacity-building support to the Malian Defence


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               and Security Forces, consistent with their domestic requirements, in order to restore
               the authority of the State of Mali over its entire national territory, to uphold the
               unity and territorial integrity of Mali and to reduce the threat posed by terrorist
               organizations and associated groups, further invites them to regularly inform the
               Secretariat of their contributions;
                    8.    Takes note of the commitment of Member States and international
               organizations to the rebuilding of the capacities of the Malian Defence and Security
               forces, including the planned deployment by the European Union of a military
               mission to Mali to provide military training and advice to the Malian Defence and
               Security Forces;

               Deployment of AFISMA
                     9.     Decides to authorize the deployment of an African-led International
               Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) for an initial period of one year, which shall
               take all necessary measures, in compliance with applicable international
               humanitarian law and human rights law and in full respect of the sovereignty,
               territorial integrity and unity of Mali to carry out the following tasks:
                     (a) To contribute to the rebuilding of the capacity of the Malian Defence and
               Security Forces, in close coordination with other international partners involved in
               this process, including the European Union and other Member States;
                     (b) To support the Malian authorities in recovering the areas in the north of
               its territory under the control of terrorist, extremist and armed groups and in
               reducing the threat posed by terrorist organizations, including AQIM, MUJWA and
               associated extremist groups, while taking appropriate measures to reduce the impact
               of military action upon the civilian population;
                    (c) To transition to stabilisation activities to support the Malian authorities in
               maintaining security and consolidate State authority through appropriate capacities;
                    (d) To support the Malian authorities in their primary responsibility to
               protect the population;
                     (e) To support the Malian authorities to create a secure environment for the
               civilian-led delivery of humanitarian assistance and the voluntary return of
               internally displaced persons and refugees, as requested, within its capabilities and in
               close coordination with humanitarian actors;
                     (f) To protect its personnel, facilities, premises, equipment and mission and
               to ensure the security and movement of its personnel;
                    10. Requests the African Union, in close coordination with ECOWAS, the
               Secretary-General and other international organizations and bilateral partners
               involved in the Malian crisis, to report to the Security Council every 60 days on the
               deployment and activities of AFISMA, including, before the commencement of
               offensive operations in the north of Mali, on: (i) the progress in the political process
               in Mali, including the roadmap for the restoration of constitutional order and
               negotiations between the Malian authorities and all parties in the north of Mali who
               have cut off all ties to terrorist organizations; (ii) the effective training of military
               and police units of both AFISMA and the Malian defence and security forces in their
               obligations under international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law; (iii) the
               operational readiness of AFISMA, including the level of staffing leadership and
               equipment of the units, their operational adaptation to the climate and terrain


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           conditions and ability to conduct joint armed operations with logistical, air and
           ground fire support; (iv) the efficiency of the chain of command of AFISMA,
           including its interaction with that of the Malian Defence and Security Forces and
           further expresses its willingness to monitor closely these benchmarks before the
           commencement of offensive operations in the north of Mali;
                 11. Emphasizes that the military planning will need to be further refined
           before the commencement of the offensive operation and requests that the
           Secretary-General, in close coordination with Mali, ECOWAS, the African Union,
           the neighbouring countries of Mali, other countries in the region and all other
           interested bilateral partners and international organizations, continue to support the
           planning and the preparations for the deployment of AFISMA, regularly inform the
           Council of the progress of the process, and requests that the Secretary-General also
           confirm in advance the Council’s satisfaction with the planned military offensive
           operation;
                 12. Requests the Secretary-General to provide, as and when requested by the
           Malian authorities, support in critical areas that will be required to accompany or
           follow a military operation in the north of Mali, with respect to the extension of the
           Malian State authority, including rule of law and security institutions, mine action,
           promotion of national dialogue, regional cooperation, security sector reform, human
           rights and the initial demobilization, disarmament and reintegration of former
           combatants;

           International support
                13. Calls upon Member States, including from the Sahel region, to contribute
           troops to AFISMA in order to enable AFISMA to fulfil its mandate, welcomes the
           troop contributions already pledged by ECOWAS countries and further encourages
           Member States to cooperate closely with the African Union, ECOWAS, the United
           Nations, countries contributing troops and other donors to this end;
                14. Urges Member States, regional and international organizations to provide
           coordinated support to AFISMA, including military training, provision of
           equipment, intelligence, logistical support and any necessary assistance in efforts to
           reduce the threat posed by terrorist organizations, including AQIM, MUJWA and
           associated extremist groups in accordance with paragraph 9 (b), in close
           coordination with AFISMA and the Malian authorities;
                 15. Calls upon the transitional authorities of Mali and all other parties in
           Mali to cooperate fully with the deployment and operations of AFISMA, in
           particular by ensuring its safety, security and freedom of movement with unhindered
           and immediate access throughout the territory of Mali to enable it to fully carry out
           its mandate and further calls upon neighbouring countries of Mali to take
           appropriate measures to support the implementation of AFISMA mandate;
                 16. Demands that all parties in Mali take appropriate steps to ensure the
           safety and security of humanitarian personnel and supplies, and further demands
           that all parties in Mali ensure safe and unhindered access for the delivery of
           humanitarian aid to persons in need of assistance across Mali, consistent with
           international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law and the guiding principles
           of humanitarian assistance;




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               Human rights
                     17. Emphasizes that the Malian authorities have primary responsibility to
               protect civilians in Mali, further recalls its resolutions 1674 (2006), 1738 (2006)
               and 1894 (2009) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, its resolutions 1612
               (2005), 1882 (2009) and 1998 (2010) on Children And Armed Conflict and its
               resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009), and 1960 (2010)
               on Women, Peace and Security, and calls upon all military forces in Mali to take
               them into account;
                     18. Emphasizes that any support provided by the United Nations, regional
               and subregional organizations and Member States in the context of the military
               operation in Mali shall be consistent with international humanitarian and human
               rights law and refugee law, further requests the Secretary-General to ensure the
               relevant capacity within the United Nations presence as referred to in paragraph 23
               below in order to observe adherence to international humanitarian and human rights
               law with regards to military operations in the north of Mali and include in his
               regular reports to the Security Council, as referred to in paragraph 24 below, the
               situation of civilians in the north of Mali and any violation of human rights law,
               international humanitarian law and refugee law in the north of Mali, as well as to
               advise on ways to mitigate any adverse impact of military operations on the civilian
               population, including on women and children;
                     19. Calls upon AFISMA, consistent with its mandate, to support national and
               international efforts, including those of the International Criminal Court, to bring to
               justice perpetrators of serious human rights abuses and violations of international
               humanitarian law in Mali;

               Funding
                    20. Calls upon Member States and international organisations, to provide
               financial support and contributions in kind to AFISMA to enable its deployment and
               implementation of its mandate and welcomes the willingness of the European Union
               to provide such financial support to AFISMA through the mobilization of the
               African Peace Facility;
                     21. Expresses its intention to consider the provision of a voluntary and a
               United Nations-funded logistics support packages to AFISMA, including equipment
               and services for an initial period of one year, takes note of the letter of the
               Secretary-General (S/2012/926) on the possible deployment of a logistics support
               package to AFISMA and on the support financial costs and, to this effect, requests
               the Secretary-General, in coordination with the African Union, ECOWAS and the
               Malian authorities, to further develop and refine options within 30 days of the
               adoption of this resolution for such a voluntary and a United Nations-funded
               logistics support packages, including detailed recommendations for a swift,
               transparent and effective implementation;
                     22. Requests the Secretary-General to establish a trust fund through which
               Member States can provide earmarked and/or non-earmarked financial support to
               AFISMA and/or to the training and equipping of Malian Defence and Security
               forces, also requests the Secretary-General to support, in coordination with the
               African Union and ECOWAS, the holding of a donors conference to solicit
               contributions to this trust fund as soon as possible, calls upon Member States to
               contribute generously and promptly to the trust fund, while noting that the existence



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           of the trust fund does not preclude the conclusion of direct bilateral arrangements
           and further requests the African Union, in consultation with ECOWAS and the
           Secretary-General, to submit budgetary request to this trust fund;

           United Nations presence and reporting
                  23. Requests the Secretary-General to establish, in consultation with the
           Malian authorities, a multidisciplinary United Nations presence in Mali, in order to
           provide coordinated and coherent support to (i) the on-going political process and
           (ii) the security process, consistent with paragraph 12 above and including support
           to the planning, deployment and operations of AFISMA and therefore requests the
           Secretary-General to submit as soon as possible specific and detailed proposals to
           the Council for further consideration;
                 24. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council regularly informed of
           the situation in Mali and to report back to the Council, through the provision of
           written reports, every 90 days, on the implementation of this resolution, including
           on the United Nations support to the political and security efforts to solve the crisis
           in Mali, the deployment and preparation of AFISMA and updated information and
           recommendations related to a voluntary and United Nations-funded support
           packages to AFISMA;
                25.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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