Brussels, 20/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - Although it is necessary to wait until December for the foreign ministers to give their formal agreement to launching a military training mission for the Malian armed forces (the draft EU crisis management concept has still to be finalised - see EUROPE 17033), the Council recalled, on Monday 19 November in Brussels, that this support comes within the framework of a coherent and comprehensive approach for the re-conquest of northern Mali, in order to help Africa find a sustainable solution to the political and security crisis in Mali. Underlining that “African ownership is paramount”, the EU states it is committed to supporting Mali and ECOWAS in response to their requests.
The EU urges the Malian authorities to submit “a credible and consensual roadmap as soon as possible for the restoration of constitutional and democratic order”. The Council recalls in this respect that support to the security sector as part of the EU's comprehensive strategy for the Sahel aims to support and complete the political process of Mali. The gradual resumption of development cooperation with Mali will also depend on adoption of the roadmap, with a rise in power determined by progress made in its implementation and a contribution from the EU to stabilisation measures with a view to sustainably exiting the crisis. The EU also reiterates the need to organise “free, transparent elections as soon as possible” and recalls its readiness to provide support for this purpose in the form of both funding and an EU election observation mission as soon as the election dates have been announced.
The EU will “watch carefully to see that the authority of the Malian state is re-established throughout its territory in compliance with the rule of law” and calls for the rapid establishment of national dialogue open to all Malians, including the armed groups which are not involved in terrorist activity and which recognise the integrity of Malian territory, the conclusions specify.
The Council recalls that the EU is also willing to provide financial support for the African operation in Mali and calls on the European Commission to provide for the mobilisation of the African Peace Facility. The Commission is also invited to identify the additional appropriations from the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) which could be mobilised for the payment of soldiers' pay. The Council invites the African states, the organisations of the region and the other international partners to make sufficient funds available to ensure adequate financial support of the African operation.
The EU condemns all the human rights violations committed in the country and especially in the northern part of Mali, and calls on the authorities to investigate all acts of violence perpetrated since the start of the crisis. It also recalls the obligation to ensure that all humanitarian players have free and unhindered access to the north of Mali. (AN/transl.jl)