Mali calls for UN aid to beat al-Qaeda

THE UN Security Council is to consider a request from West African countries for military intervention in Mali to root out al-Qaeda-linked Islamists who have seized control of the country’s northern region.

The Economic Community of West African States, known as Ecowas, has planned the force for months but was told by the Council it must wait for a formal request from Mali’s interim government before submitting proposals.

Mali’s request – initially opposed by the leaders of a March coup who retain considerable influence – finally came on 1 September.

The Security Council urged Ecowas to prepare a “feasible” plan with “detailed options” for a force. The council also asked the bloc to co-ordinate the plan with other African nations and the European Union.

World leaders will meet next week on the fringes of the UN General Assembly to discuss the intervention force and the worsening humanitarian and security situation in northern Mali.

Mali’s request for assistance includes aerial support and 3,000 troops to help recover territory lost in the post-coup chaos. Islamists and Tuareg rebels initially seized pieces of the region, but the Islamists later overtook the Tuaregs and gained control.

With Islamists moving closer to government-held territory in central Mali, the Council said terrorist elements like al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb have become more entrenched. It demanded all rebel groups cut ties with terrorists.

The Council also condemned human rights violations. This week, UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay said the Islamists have committed serious human rights violations and possibly war crimes.

Since the coup, more than 250,000 Malians have fled the country, while 174,000 have been internally displaced, the UN said.

An ongoing famine has left 1.63 million people in northern Mali in a “situation of severe, close to extreme, food insecurity” according to the UN.