On Monday 25 June, the EU Foreign Affairs Council adopted conclusions on the Sahel in order to strengthen the European Union's involvement in the region.
Mali is considered a very influential country in the region and thus takes a significant place in the Council's conclusions. The Council underlined the need for the signatories of the peace and reconciliation agreement to implement this agreement effectively in the country. The Council nevertheless also favoured strengthening the leading role of the UN operation MINUSMA, as a support to the implementation of the agreement.
The EU foreign affairs ministers applauded United Nations Security Council Resolution 2374 (2017) which imposes sanctions on Malian actors who hinder the peace process, including those who do not engage constructively (see EUROPE 11873).
The Council furthermore welcomed the decision of High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini to deploy an electoral observation mission to monitor the presidential elections that will take place in Mali on 29 July (see EUROPE 12034).
Sahel. The ministers also underlined their overall strategic commitment to the stabilisation of the Sahel region. According to the conclusions, an exhaustive approach is needed and must include issues of security and governance, as well as those linked to development.
The Council called on the parties that took part in the high level conference on the Sahel in February to make their involvement and contributions of support to the Sahel concrete (see EUROPE 11968).
As regards security, the Council confirmed its support to the full operationalisation of the joint G5 Sahel force, and asked the five countries concerned (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger) to deploy additional contingents and personnel. The ministers thus underlined the contribution of the common security and defence policy (CSDP) and the importance of its regionalisation.
The conclusions also highlighted other challenges such as cooperation on migration, the fight against drugs trafficking and arms, assistance to vulnerable people in the food crisis, poverty and natural disasters. (Original version in French by Carmen García)