UNITED NATIONS, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Tuesday decided to renew the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) until June 30, 2022, and to task the mission with supporting the country's political transition ahead of presidential and legislative elections slated for Feb. 27, 2022.
Unanimously adopting Resolution 2584, the 15-member organ called on all Malian stakeholders to facilitate the full realization of the political transition and handover of power to elected civilian authorities within the 18-month transition period, as decided during the Sept. 15, 2020 meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
By other terms, the Council called on all parties in Mali to strictly abide by the arrangements in place for a cessation of hostilities and demanded that all armed groups cut all ties with terrorist organizations and transnational organized crime. They must also end the recruitment and use of child soldiers and cease any activities hampering the return of State authority and basic social services.
Further, the Council called for the inclusion within national and regional strategies of programs that address the stigma of sexual and gender-based violence, bring justice to victims and survivors, and support their reintegration into their communities.
In addition to extending MINUSMA's mandate, the Council decided that the mission shall continue to comprise up to 13,289 military and 1,920 police personnel.
Highlighting the growing insecurity and physical violence against civilians in central Mali, the Council also requested that the secretary-general provide recommendations on the force levels and ceiling of MINUSMA's uniformed personnel no later than July 15, 2021 in order to facilitate its future discussions.