ECOWAS warmly welcomes the adoption by the United Nations Security Council, at 
its meeting on 20 December 2012, of the resolution authorizing the deployment 
of the African-led International Support Mission (AFISMA) in Mali under the 
provisions of Chapter VII of the UN Charter. ECOWAS also welcomes the decision 
to set up a trust fund and to mobilize international financial, technical, and 
logistical resources, in support of AFISMA. 

The adoption of Resolution 2085 (2012) marks a defining moment in the 
coordinated international efforts to assist Mali to re-establish the unity and 
territorial integrity of the country, dismantle terrorist and criminal 
networks in the north, and to restore full constitutional order through the 
holding of free, fair, and transparent elections. It also paves the way for 
concerted international efforts to eliminate the serious threat posed by Al-
Qaida in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the Movement of Unity and Jihad in Western 
Africa (MUJWA), and affiliated terrorist groups, to regional and international 
peace and security. 

ECOWAS expresses sincere gratitude to the members of the Security Council for 
taking this important decision. It applauds the determination and unity of 
purpose demonstrated by ECOWAS Member States, the neighboring countries, the 
African Union, the United Nations, and other partners, in particular the EU, 
France, and the US, since the outbreak of the security and institutional 
crises in Mali, and which have culminated in the unanimous adoption of the 
landmark resolution.

ECOWAS is determined to play its full role in the process and will immediately 
initiate consultations with Mali, Member States, the African Union, the United 
Nations, and all other concerned partners, towards the expeditious and full 
implementation of Resolution 2085 (2012).


Kadré Désiré OUEDRAOGO
President of the Commission