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| Africa North |
| UN approves intervention in Mali to oust Islamist militants |
| 2012-12-23 |
| The UN Security Council has unanimously approved a French-backed resolution to send an African-led military force to help take back northern Mali from Islamist militants. The council unanimously voted to give the force an initial one-year mandate. The resolution also sets "benchmarks" for Mali, including political reconciliation and improved training for the military. Armed groups, some linked to Al-Qaeda, took control of northern Mali after a military coup in March and established a harsh form of Islamic law. U.N. peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous said recently he does not expect a military operation to begin until September or October of next year. The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) says it has 3,300 troops ready to go to Mali - although an operation is not expected to begin before September 2013. The resolution, drafted by France, sets out a multi-stage process for reunifying Mali. The UN also wants political progress to be made before the military operation, including holding elections by April "or as soon as technically possible." |
| Posted by:tipper |