A large majority of the members of the UN Security Council demanded Monday, June 14 the holding of "
free and fair
" elections in Mali in February 2022, without the participation of its current leaders, also affirming themselves in favor of a renewal of the constant strength Minusma peacekeeping force.
Read also: Mali angers its neighbors and France
"
The absolute priority must be the organization of the presidential election on February 27, 2022
" without candidacy from those responsible for the recent coup in this country, French Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière said during a Council meeting. . After the announcement of an end to the French military operation Barkhane, the diplomat assured that France "will
maintain an important military presence to accompany and support the Sahelian forces with its European partners
", after having mentioned to the media a "
gradual adaptation (...) to the situation on the ground
”.
"
It is essential that the February 2022 elections are free and fair and are administered by competent and impartial electoral authorities, using transparent processes
," said Deputy US Ambassador to the UN, Jeffrey DeLaurentis. A point of view supported by Mexico, Norway, Ireland or Niger.
Regarding the Minusma, whose mandate must be renewed the day before its expiry on June 30, several members have affirmed their support for an extension for one year without changing its workforce.
China and Vietnam have said they are in favor of "
maintaining the ceiling
" on the number of military and police currently authorized, about 15,000.
Isolated on this point, France estimated that "
the question of an increase
" in the number of peacekeepers should be asked, after having deplored that there are only 2000 peacekeepers in the center of the country with "
three helicopters made available every other week
”.
"
A clear line between the fight against terrorism and the maintenance of peace
"
The United States has again rejected the request of Paris and African countries to create a UN support office for the anti-jihadist force G5 Sahel which would be financed from compulsory contributions from the United Nations.
"
It is important to maintain a clear line between the fight against terrorism and the maintenance of peace in order to protect the impartiality and the personnel of the United Nations
", argued Jeffrey DeLaurentis.
To read also: Sahel: Emmanuel Macron turns the page of Barkhane
After the announcement of the end of Barkhane and the suspension decided in early June by Paris of joint military operations between France and Mali, Russia deemed "
irresponsible at the present time to abandon the country to its fate, considering to reduce the military and financial aid given to it
”. "
The stake is too important for security in Mali and in all its region
", estimated the Russian deputy ambassador, Anna Evstigneeva.