The meeting was called to order at 3.25 p.m.

Adoption of the agenda

The agenda was adopted.

The situation in Mali

Letter dated 13 December 2012 from the Secretary-General addressed to the
President of the Security Council (S/2012/926)

The President (spoke in Arabic): Under rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I welcome His Excellency Mr. Tiéman Hubert Coulibaly, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali, and the represenative of Côte d’Ivoire and invite them to participate in this meeting.

Under rule of 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite His Excellency Mr. Téte António, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, to participate in this meeting.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda.

Members of the Council have before them document S/2012/926, which contains a letter dated 13 December 2012 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council.

Members of the Council also have before them document S/2012/946, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Colombia, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Morocco, Portugal, South Africa, Togo, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.

It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

A vote was taken by show of hands.

In favour:
Azerbaijan, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, Togo, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America

The President (spoke in Arabic): There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2085 (2012).

I now give the floor to Minister Coulibaly.

Mr. Coulibaly (Mali) (spoke in French): First of all, I would like to express the sincere gratitude of myself and the delegation of Mali for the convening of this important meeting, which is the culmination of the tireless commendable efforts we have made in the search for a lasting solution to the serious crisis that Mali is currently experiencing. In that connection, Morocco’s presidency of the Security Council has served to move forward the process of resolving the crisis in Mali. That is reflected in the Council’s meeting on 5 December on the situation in the Sahel (see S/PV.6879), during which the Council considered the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Mali (S/2012/894), as well as in the open debate held on 10 December (see S/PV.6882).

The Security Council has taken a historic step today in unanimously adopting resolution 2085 (2012), which, under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, authorizes the deployment of an international force under African leadership to help Mali’s military and police forces to restore State sovereignty and territorial integrity in the areas of Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal, which are controlled by the terrorists and extremists of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the Mouvement pour l’unicité et le jihad en Afrique de l’Ouest (MUJAO) and affiliated groups. Mali welcomes the adoption of this resolution, which reflects the commitment of the international community to stand by Mali in combating terrorism and transnational organized crime, which gravely imperil the region’s stability as well as international peace and security.

The Government of Mali commits itself to cooperate fully with the Security Council and to fulfil its obligations under this resolution. In that regard, I would like to reiterate here our determination to pursue, under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States mediator, the discussions that have been initiated with Malian rebel groups that have decided to break all ties with AQMI, MUJAO and their affiliated terrorist and extremist groups, as well as to definitively reject violence and the notion of secession. Needless to say, political dialogue cannot begin outside the framework of non-negotiable conditions set out by the Government of Mali, which includes strict respect for Mali’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the secular nature of the State and the unity of the country.

Allow me to take this opportunity, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Mali, His Excellency Mr. Dioncounda Traoré, and of the Government of Mali, to thank the members of the Security Council for their tireless efforts in adopting today’s resolution, to the great happiness of all of Mali’s people — and in particular our people under occupation and those who have been displaced or become refugees. I would in particular like to thank France, its people, President and Government, who very early on understood that the presence in northern Mali of heavily armed AQMI, MUJAO and affiliated extremists and terrorists posed an immediate threat to international peace and security. France spared no effort in ensuring that the Security Council assumed its responsibilities.

I cannot conclude without expressing the deep gratitude of Mali’s authorities to the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, the European Union, the United Nations, our bilateral and multilateral partners, our neigbouring countries and all the States of the region for their solidarity and support in the process of resolving the crisis in Mali.

The President (spoke in Arabic): I now give the floor to the representative of Côte d’Ivoire.

Mr. Bamba (Côte d’Ivoire) (spoke in French): In his statement during the Security Council debate on 10 December, the Minister of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, warned of the imminent threat posed by the increasing presence of terrorist groups in northern Mali:

”Northern Mali is gradually being transformed into a sanctuary for terrorist groups engaged, with total impunity, in the worst possible abuses and massive violations of human rights. That terrorist presence threatens every State in West Africa and the Sahel, but also those of the Maghreb and beyond. We are talking about a real danger to international peace and security, which therefore demands a comprehensive and determined response on the part of the international community.” (S/PV.6882, p. 10)

Resolution 2085 (2012), which the Council has just adopted and which authorizes the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA), is for us proof that the Council took that warning very seriously, properly assuming its legal responsibility in that regard under the Charter of the United Nations. The resolution provides the necessary international legitimacy to carry out the necessary actions to restore the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Mali. On behalf of His Excellency President Alassane Ouattara,

current Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), I should like to express the satisfaction of ECOWAS at the adoption of this historic resolution that responds to the expecations of all of Africa in the face of the tragedy in Mali.

First, I would like to point out that this resolution is timely. Its adoption before the end of this year is in fact an outstanding message of hope and solidarity both for the victimized people of northern Mali, who can now begin to believe that their nightmare will soon come to an end, as well as to the millions of people who are suffering similar violence; they, too, will be able to believe in the ability of the United Nations to take the life-saving decisions that will bring them the security to which they have a right.

Secondly, resolution 2085 (2012) sets out a political strategy that provides every opportunity for peace. The strategy is based on the framework agreement agreed by the Malian parties on 6 April, which was later endorsed by ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations and all our development partners, with a view to developing a road map aimed at the full restoration of the constitutional order and the re-establishment of national unity, in particular by organizing free, fair and transparent presidential and legislative elections next year.

Moreover, resolution 2085 (2012) sends out an unambiguous political message calling for the military to refrain from all political activity, for the holding of an inclusive political dialogue, as well as for the unrelenting pursuit of negotation and mediation with both independence-seeking and separatist armed groups and other groups that have clearly distanced themselves from terrorist groups.

Thirdly and lastly, resolution 2085 (2012) sets out a military strategy focused on the deployment of AFISMA that provides for the following crucial goals: contributing to rebuilding the Malian armed forces; operational support to Mali’s authorities aimed at retaking the territory under the control of terrorist and extremist groups; and a transition to stabilize the security situation with a view to placing security matters back in the hands of Mali’s authorities.

It is clear that the noble goals of resolution 2085 (2012) will be achieved only with significant mobilization and the commensurate international support. It is for that reason that, together with ECOWAS, the African Union calls for a financial and logistical support package financed through United Nations assessed contributions to be quickly agreed by the Security Council. We believe that will be the only way to provide the means to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of AFISMA’s action.

ECOWAS welcomes the singular perspective and agreement on action that has developed between it and the African Union on the issue of Mali. This convergence of views has extended to all international partners, first among which is the Security Council. On behalf of President Ouattara, I would like to expres the great gratitude of ECOWAS for the great sense of responsibility demonstrated by the Council in unanimously adopting resolution 2085 (2012) to authorize the deployment of an international force to Mali to put an end to the presence of terrorist groups in the north of the country and to restore the sovereignty and territorial integrity of this very important African country of the Sahel.

The President (spoke in Arabic): I now give the floor to Mr. António.

Mr. António: At the outset, I wish to thank you, Mr. President, and through you the members of the Security Council, for inviting the African Union to participate in this meeting — further eloquent testimony to the evolving strategic partnership that exists between the United Nations and the African Union on matters of peace and security on the continent.

(spoke in French)

I should also like to welcome the presence here today of His Excellency Mr. Tiéman Hubert Coulibaly, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali. I thank him for his eloquent statement. I also welcome the statement just made by my brother Ambassador Bamba, whose views the African Union fully supports and who spoke of the elements of the strategy we have espoused since our meeting here on 5 December (see S/PV.6879).

(spoke in English)

When we met here on 5 December, our intervention mirrored a collective sense of urgency and a unified message for concrete and decisive action to resolve the crisis in Mali. It is in that context that the African Union welcomes the adoption today of resolution 2085 (2012) as a major step forward and clear recognition of

the primacy of the Security Council in the maintenance of peace and security in all parts of the world.

We also wish to commend the high-quality wisdom and political will shown through the decision of the members of the Security Council to support the requests of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union by authorizing the deployment of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) for an initial period of one year. I wish therefore to extend the African Union’s appreciation to all the members of the Security Council for their tireless efforts, resolve and commitment, which led to the adoption of resolution 2085 (2012).

Recent experience in Darfur and Somalia has shown that an appropriate United Nations support package that provides for sustainable and predictable funding remains a critical element of the success of any international support mission. We note and welcome with appreciation the conscientious effort of the Security Council to address that critical matter, as reflected in the resolution, and we reiterate the African Union’s call on the United Nations to put in place a support package for the International Support Mission, to be funded through assessed contributions, and to establish a trust fund to support the Malian Defence and Security Forces, given the lead role they are expected to play in addressing the security challenges in their country.

In conclusion, the African Union Commission wishes to recall the press statement issued by the African Union Peace and Security Council at its 348th meeting, held on 13 December, which, among other things,

“reaffirmed the need for sustained efforts by both the Malian actors and the international partners, in order to expedite the resolution of the multidimensional crisis facing Mali, recalling, in this regard, the relevance of the strategic concept for the resolution of the crises in Mali”.

In the statement, the Council also stressed

“that issues of democratic governance, as well as the negotiation process and the deployment of AFISMA go hand-in-hand, and are mutually reinforcing, and that determined efforts should be made on these two tracks [and] appealed for the mobilization of humanitarian aid to assist the increasing numbers of refugees in the neighboring countries and internally displaced persons within Mali”.

Finally, I wish to reaffirm the African Union’s continued commitment to working in partnership with the United Nations, ECOWAS, the countries of the region and other parners towards the speedy resolution of the crisis in Mali.

The President (spoke in Arabic): There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.

The meeting rose at 3.45 p.m.

Resolution 2085 (2012)

Adopted by the Security Council at its 6898th meeting, on

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions 2056 (2012) and 2071 (2012), its Presidential Statements of 26 March 2012 (S/PRST/2012/7), 4 April 2012 (S/PRST/2012/9) as well as its Press Statements of 22 March 2012, 9 April 2012, 18 June 2012,
10 August 2012, 21 September 2012, 11 December 2012 on Mali,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Mali,

Emphasizing that the situation and entrenchment of terrorist groups and criminal networks in the north of Mali continue to pose a serious and urgent threat to the population throughout Mali, and to the stability in the Sahel region, the wider African region and the international community as a whole,

Condemning strongly the continued interference of members of the Malian Defence and Security Forces in the work of the Transitional authorities of Mali, stressing the need to work expeditiously toward the restoration of democratic governance and constitutional order in Mali and taking note of the on-going efforts of the Secretary-General, including through the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, to assist the Transitional authorities of Mali in developing a roadmap for the electoral process and national dialogue,

Remaining seriously concerned over the insecurity and the significant ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Sahel region, which is further complicated by the presence of armed groups, including separatist movements, terrorist and criminal networks, and their increased activities, as well as the continued proliferation of weapons from within and outside the region that threaten peace, security, and stability of States in this region,

Condemning strongly all abuses of human rights in the north of Mali by armed rebels, terrorist and other extremist groups, including those involving violence against civilians, notably women and children, killings, hostage-taking, pillaging, theft, destruction of cultural and religious sites and recruitment of child soldiers, reiterating that some of such acts may amount to crimes under the Rome Statute and that their perpetrators must be held accountable and noting that the Transitional authorities of Mali referred the situation in Mali since January 2012 to the International Criminal Court on 13 July 2012,

Recalling the letter of the Transitional authorities of Mali dated 18 September 2012 addressed to the Secretary-General, requesting the authorization of deployment through a Security Council resolution, under Chapter VII as provided by the United Nations Charter, of an international military force to assist the Armed Forces of Mali to recover the occupied regions in the north of Mali and recalling also the letter of the Transitional authorities of Mali dated 12 October 2012 addressed to the Secretary-General, stressing the need to support, including through such an international military force, the national and international efforts to bring to justice the perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the north of Mali,

Taking note of the endorsement of the Strategic Concept for the Resolution of the Crisis in Mali at the second meeting of the Support and Follow-Up Group on the Situation in Mali in Bamako on 19 October 2012, attended by ECOWAS Member States, countries of the region and other international partners, as well as its adoption by the African Union Peace and Security Council on 24 October 2012,

Taking note of the final communiqué of the Extraordinary Session of the authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government held in Abuja on
11 November 2012 and of the subsequent communiqué of the African Union Peace and Security Council on 13 November 2012 endorsing the Joint Strategic Concept of Operations for the International Military Force and the Malian Defence and Security forces,

Welcoming the appointment of Romano Prodi as Special Envoy of the Secretary General for the Sahel, as well as the appointment of Pierre Buyoya as High Representative of the African Union for Mali and the Sahel and encouraging them to work in close coordination with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the ECOWAS mediator,

Welcoming the efforts of the ECOWAS-led mediation, with the support of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and neighbouring countries of Mali,

Taking note of the Secretary-General’s report on Mali dated 28 November 2012 (S/2012/894) for continued action on the political and security tracks and a comprehensive solution to the crisis affecting Mali,

Emphasizing that the Malian authorities have primary responsibility for resolving the inter-linked crises facing the country and that any sustainable solution to the crisis in Mali should be Malian-led,

Encouraging the international community to provide support to resolve the crisis in Mali through coordinated actions for immediate and long-term needs, encompassing security, development and humanitarian issues,

Determining that the situation in Mali constitutes a threat to international peace and security,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

I.

Political process

1. Urges the transitional authorities of Mali, consistent with the Framework agreement of 6 April 2012 signed under the auspices of ECOWAS, to finalize a transitional roadmap through broad-based and inclusive political dialogue, to fully restore constitutional order and national unity, including through the holding of peaceful, credible and inclusive presidential and legislative elections, in accordance with the agreement mentioned above which calls for elections by April 2013 or as soon as technically possible, requests the Secretary-General, in close coordination with ECOWAS and the African Union, to continue to assist the transitional authorities of Mali in the preparation of such a roadmap, including the conduct of an electoral process based on consensually established ground rules and further urges the transitional authorities of Mali to ensure its timely implementation;

2. Demands that Malian rebel groups cut off all ties to terrorist organizations, notably Al-Qaida in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and associated groups, and take concrete and visible steps to this effect, takes note of the listing of Movement of Unity and Jihad in Western Africa (MUJWA) on the Al-Qaida sanctions list established and maintained by the Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) and further reiterates its readiness to continue to adopt further targeted sanctions, under the above-mentioned regime, against those rebel groups and individuals who do not cut off all ties to al-Qaida and associated groups, including AQIM and MUJWA;

3. Urges the transitional authorities of Mali to expeditiously put in place a credible framework for negotiations with all parties in the north of Mali who have cut off all ties to terrorist organizations, notably AQIM and associated groups including MUJWA, and who recognize, without conditions, the unity and territorial integrity of the Malian State, and with a view to addressing the long-standing concerns of communities in the north of Mali, and requests the Secretary-General, through his Special Representative for West Africa, in coordination with the ECOWAS Mediator and the High Representative of the African Union for Mali and the Sahel, and the OIC, to take appropriate steps to assist the transitional authorities of Mali to enhance their mediation capacity and to facilitate and strengthen such a dialogue;

4. Condemns the circumstances that led to the resignation of the Prime Minister and the dismissal of the Government on 11 December 2012, reiterates its demand that no member of the Malian Armed Forces should interfere in the work of the Transitional authorities and expresses its readiness to consider appropriate measures, as necessary, against those who take action that undermines the peace, stability, and security, including those who prevent the implementation of the constitutional order in Mali;

5. Calls upon all Member States to implement their obligations pursuant to resolution 1989 (2011) and 2083 (2012) and strongly condemns incidents of kidnapping and hostage taking by Al-Qaida in Mali and across the Sahel region with the aim of raising funds or gaining political concessions;

II. Security process

Training of Malian forces

6. Emphasises that the consolidation and redeployment of the Malian Defence and Security forces throughout the Malian territory is vital to ensure Mali’s long term security and stability and to protect the people of Mali;

7. Urges Member States, regional and international organizations to provide coordinated assistance, expertise, training, including on human rights and international humanitarian law, and capacity-building support to the Malian Defence and Security Forces, consistent with their domestic requirements, in order to restore the authority of the State of Mali over its entire national territory, to uphold the unity and territorial integrity of Mali and to reduce the threat posed by terrorist organizations and associated groups, further invites them to regularly inform the Secretariat of their contributions;

8. Takes note of the commitment of Member States and international organizations to the rebuilding of the capacities of the Malian Defence and Security forces, including the planned deployment by the European Union of a military mission to Mali to provide military training and advice to the Malian Defence and Security Forces;

Deployment of AFISMA

9. Decides to authorize the deployment of an African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) for an initial period of one year, which shall take all necessary measures, in compliance with applicable international humanitarian law and human rights law and in full respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Mali to carry out the following tasks:

(a) To contribute to the rebuilding of the capacity of the Malian Defence and Security Forces, in close coordination with other international partners involved in this process, including the European Union and other Member States;

(b) To support the Malian authorities in recovering the areas in the north of its territory under the control of terrorist, extremist and armed groups and in reducing the threat posed by terrorist organizations, including AQIM, MUJWA and associated extremist groups, while taking appropriate measures to reduce the impact of military action upon the civilian population;

(c) To transition to stabilisation activities to support the Malian authorities in maintaining security and consolidate State authority through appropriate capacities;

(d) To support the Malian authorities in their primary responsibility to protect the population;

(e) To support the Malian authorities to create a secure environment for the civilian-led delivery of humanitarian assistance and the voluntary return of internally displaced persons and refugees, as requested, within its capabilities and in close coordination with humanitarian actors;

(f) To protect its personnel, facilities, premises, equipment and mission and to ensure the security and movement of its personnel;

10. Requests the African Union, in close coordination with ECOWAS, the Secretary-General and other international organizations and bilateral partners involved in the Malian crisis, to report to the Security Council every 60 days on the deployment and activities of AFISMA, including, before the commencement of offensive operations in the north of Mali, on: (i) the progress in the political process in Mali, including the roadmap for the restoration of constitutional order and negotiations between the Malian authorities and all parties in the north of Mali who have cut off all ties to terrorist organizations; (ii) the effective training of military and police units of both AFISMA and the Malian defence and security forces in their obligations under international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law; (iii) the operational readiness of AFISMA, including the level of staffing leadership and equipment of the units, their operational adaptation to the climate and terrain conditions and ability to conduct joint armed operations with logistical, air and ground fire support; (iv) the efficiency of the chain of command of AFISMA, including its interaction with that of the Malian Defence and Security Forces and further expresses its willingness to monitor closely these benchmarks before the commencement of offensive operations in the north of Mali;

11. Emphasizes that the military planning will need to be further refined before the commencement of the offensive operation and requests that the Secretary-General, in close coordination with Mali, ECOWAS, the African Union, the neighbouring countries of Mali, other countries in the region and all other interested bilateral partners and international organizations, continue to support the planning and the preparations for the deployment of AFISMA, regularly inform the Council of the progress of the process, and requests that the Secretary-General also confirm in advance the Council’s satisfaction with the planned military offensive operation;

12. Requests the Secretary-General to provide, as and when requested by the Malian authorities, support in critical areas that will be required to accompany or follow a military operation in the north of Mali, with respect to the extension of the Malian State authority, including rule of law and security institutions, mine action, promotion of national dialogue, regional cooperation, security sector reform, human rights and the initial demobilization, disarmament and reintegration of former combatants;

International support

13. Calls upon Member States, including from the Sahel region, to contribute troops to AFISMA in order to enable AFISMA to fulfil its mandate, welcomes the troop contributions already pledged by ECOWAS countries and further encourages Member States to cooperate closely with the African Union, ECOWAS, the United Nations, countries contributing troops and other donors to this end;

14. Urges Member States, regional and international organizations to provide coordinated support to AFISMA, including military training, provision of equipment, intelligence, logistical support and any necessary assistance in efforts to reduce the threat posed by terrorist organizations, including AQIM, MUJWA and associated extremist groups in accordance with paragraph 9 (b), in close coordination with AFISMA and the Malian authorities;

15. Calls upon the transitional authorities of Mali and all other parties in Mali to cooperate fully with the deployment and operations of AFISMA, in particular by ensuring its safety, security and freedom of movement with unhindered and immediate access throughout the territory of Mali to enable it to fully carry out its mandate and further calls upon neighbouring countries of Mali to take appropriate measures to support the implementation of AFISMA mandate;

16. Demands that all parties in Mali take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and supplies, and further demands that all parties in Mali ensure safe and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian aid to persons in need of assistance across Mali, consistent with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law and the guiding principles of humanitarian assistance;

Human rights

17. Emphasizes that the Malian authorities have primary responsibility to protect civilians in Mali, further recalls its resolutions 1674 (2006), 1738 (2006) and 1894 (2009) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, its resolutions 1612 (2005), 1882 (2009) and 1998 (2010) on Children And Armed Conflict and its resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009), and 1960 (2010) on Women, Peace and Security, and calls upon all military forces in Mali to take them into account;

18. Emphasizes that any support provided by the United Nations, regional and subregional organizations and Member States in the context of the military operation in Mali shall be consistent with international humanitarian and human rights law and refugee law, further requests the Secretary-General to ensure the relevant capacity within the United Nations presence as referred to in paragraph 23 below in order to observe adherence to international humanitarian and human rights law with regards to military operations in the north of Mali and include in his regular reports to the Security Council, as referred to in paragraph 24 below, the situation of civilians in the north of Mali and any violation of human rights law, international humanitarian law and refugee law in the north of Mali, as well as to advise on ways to mitigate any adverse impact of military operations on the civilian population, including on women and children;

19. Calls upon AFISMA, consistent with its mandate, to support national and international efforts, including those of the International Criminal Court, to bring to justice perpetrators of serious human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law in Mali;

Funding

20. Calls upon Member States and international organisations, to provide financial support and contributions in kind to AFISMA to enable its deployment and implementation of its mandate and welcomes the willingness of the European Union to provide such financial support to AFISMA through the mobilization of the African Peace Facility;

21. Expresses its intention to consider the provision of a voluntary and a United Nations-funded logistics support packages to AFISMA, including equipment and services for an initial period of one year, takes note of the letter of the Secretary-General (S/2012/926) on the possible deployment of a logistics support package to AFISMA and on the support financial costs and, to this effect, requests the Secretary-General, in coordination with the African Union, ECOWAS and the Malian authorities, to further develop and refine options within 30 days of the adoption of this resolution for such a voluntary and a United Nations-funded logistics support packages, including detailed recommendations for a swift, transparent and effective implementation;

22. Requests the Secretary-General to establish a trust fund through which Member States can provide earmarked and/or non-earmarked financial support to AFISMA and/or to the training and equipping of Malian Defence and Security forces, also requests the Secretary-General to support, in coordination with the African Union and ECOWAS, the holding of a donors conference to solicit contributions to this trust fund as soon as possible, calls upon Member States to contribute generously and promptly to the trust fund, while noting that the existence of the trust fund does not preclude the conclusion of direct bilateral arrangements and further requests the African Union, in consultation with ECOWAS and the Secretary-General, to submit budgetary request to this trust fund;

United Nations presence and reporting

23. Requests the Secretary-General to establish, in consultation with the Malian authorities, a multidisciplinary United Nations presence in Mali, in order to provide coordinated and coherent support to (i) the on-going political process and (ii) the security process, consistent with paragraph 12 above and including support to the planning, deployment and operations of AFISMA and therefore requests the Secretary-General to submit as soon as possible specific and detailed proposals to the Council for further consideration;

24. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council regularly informed of the situation in Mali and to report back to the Council, through the provision of written reports, every 90 days, on the implementation of this resolution, including on the United Nations support to the political and security efforts to solve the crisis in Mali, the deployment and preparation of AFISMA and updated information and recommendations related to a voluntary and United Nations-funded support packages to AFISMA;

25. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.