Demanding an immediate end to all hostilities in Mali, the United Nations Security Council urged Malian parties to engage with sustained political will and a spirit of compromise and make the necessary concessions to engage in talks towards a comprehensive, inclusive peace deal that addresses the root causes of the years-long crisis in the country.
The Government of Mali and the signatory and adherent armed groups of the Ouagadougou Preliminary Agreement must resume without delay the inter-Malian negotiation process in Algiers, the 15-member body urged in a Presidential Statement approved on Friday.
"The parties have a responsibility to the Malian people and the international community to reach a durable peace agreement", the Security Council stressed, calling on all actors who have influence on the Malian leaders to urge them to negotiate seriously and in good faith".
"The Security Council urges the parties to seize the historic opportunity offered by the inter-Malian negotiation process in Algiers, in which all neighbouring countries and relevant regional and international partners are involved, to support lasting peace in Mali", the Council said in a statement.