The U.N. Security Council on Monday concluded a two-day visit to Mali, where it examined U.N. efforts to assist the West African country as it emerges from crisis and addresses a series of political, security, development, and humanitarian challenges. The government is seeking to restore stability and rebuild following a series of crises since early 2012, including a military coup d'état, renewed fighting between government forces and ethnic-Tuareg rebels, and the seizure of its northern territory by extremists. Last April, the Security Council authorized the U.N. Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to assist the government in its efforts, with support from a French security mission in Mali.
