A/HRC/31/76 movements, notably CMA, within the security forces in the north, and the other concerning security arrangements for the withdrawal of armed groups of the Platform from the town of Ménaka (in the north-east). 9. On 21 September 2015, the Council of Ministers decided to postpone the local elections scheduled for 25 October 2015. Political parties, civil society organizations, CMA and the Platform had requested that the polls should be delayed until the return of refugees and internally displaced persons so as to guarantee an inclusive electoral process. The Government also highlighted insecurity in the northern regions and the need to review electoral boundaries. 10. On 14 October 2015, the armed groups signed a pact of honour agreeing to a ceasefire and peace. As part of a direct and constructive dialogue between CMA and the Platform, a series of meetings took place in Anéfis from 4 to 14 October 2015. The talks between CMA (ex-Tuareg-led rebellion) and the Platform (a coalition of proGovernment groups) lasted nearly three weeks. This was a key step because, without a credible and lasting ceasefire, the Agreement cannot lead to a durable peace or its effective implementation. 11. On 22 October 2015, at an international conference organized in Paris by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development for the economic recovery and development of Mali, donors reaffirmed their commitments in favour of Mali. The conference brought together the Malian authorities, led by the Pr esident, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, representatives of the signatories to the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation and 64 countries and international partner organizations. At the conference, the President highlighted the importance of economic recovery and balanced development across all the northern regions and State reform through an enhanced decentralization process. 12. This fresh momentum in the peace process was accompanied by progress in the implementation of the Agreement; in particular, the Monitoring Committee has met on several occasions. In order for the Committee to be able to meet, it was necessary for MINUSMA and members of the international community to engage in mediation with armed groups following ceasefire violations and the withdr awal from Anéfis in September 2015. B. The security situation 13. The security situation in the north, centre and south of the country has deteriorated considerably with the resurgence of terrorist and asymmetric attacks in the regions of Mopti, Ségou and Gao. These attacks specifically targeted members of the Malian armed forces and MINUSMA forces. In response, a large number of counter-terrorist operations have been carried out in Mali since the last visit by the Independent Expert. Over the last year, MINUSMA has been one of the most deadly peacekeeping operations, with a total of 67 peacekeepers killed and more than 200 injured. 14. Terrorist and extremist groups increasingly target civilians, in particular foreigners. During my fourth visit to the country, five persons were killed in an attack on the La Terrasse restaurant in Bamako on 7 March 2015. On 7 August, a terrorist attack killed 13 people in a hotel in Sévaré. On 20 November, a shooting followed by a hostage situation at the Radisson Hotel was the most deadly incident, with at least 21 people killed, including 14 civilians. 15. Between March and September 2015, the Human Rights Division of MINUSMA reported 79 asymmetric attacks against civilian or military targets. Twenty -five of these attacks targeted United Nations peacekeepers or members of the 4/18 GE.16-00837