With the ongoing conflict between the military of Mali and the insurgent groups through 2012 and the continuing problems with democracy and human rights, the transitional government sent two letters (on 18 September 2012 and 12 October 2012) to the United Nations requesting the authorization of an international force.[2] The United Nations Security Council affirmed Resolution 2071 on 12 October 2012 which called for military intervention in Mali be considered and a plan to be developed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).[3]