UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Wednesday expressed growing concern about the continued deterioration of the security situation in central Mali, and asked the government and armed groups to implement a 2015 peace agreement.
The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the continued attacks, including terrorist attacks, against civilians, representatives from local, regional and state institutions, as well as national, international and UN security forces, said the Security Council in a press statement.
They also condemned the recent surge in intercommunal violence which has led to the loss of numerous innocent lives. They urged Malian authorities to ensure that those responsible for crimes involving violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law are held accountable and brought to justice without undue delay.
Dozens of civilians have been killed in clashes and terrorist attacks since last month in Mali's central and northern regions.
The council members underlined that stabilization of the situation in central Mali requires a fully integrated plan encompassing simultaneous pursuit of progress on security, governance, development, reconciliation, as well as protection and promotion of human rights.
The council members expressed "a significant sense of impatience" with parties over the persistent delays in the full implementation of key provisions of the 2015 Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. They urged the Malian government and relevant armed groups to take immediate and concrete action to effectively implement the remaining key provisions of the agreement.
The Malian government in 2015 signed the agreement with pro-government militias and some rebel groups in a bid to end hostilities and launch development programs in its troubled north, as well as to restore peace and stability to the country.
Conflict in northern Mali started in 2012, and the security situation remained volatile with an increased number of incidents in 2018 despite the signing of the agreement.
