Mali: New government proposes political negotiations on north

Mali’s Prime minister Moussa Mara at the conclusion of a first cabinet meeting in Bamako announced the “prompt” appointing of a chief negotiator for political talks “with all communities on the territorial statute of the northern regions”.

Another novelty regarding the dialogue with the movements of Azawad is the decision to organize the talks “in the national territory” and no longer abroad.

A first accord was signed between the Malian government and rebel groups in Ouagadougou in June 2013, ending an 18-months armed crisis. A crucial step that allowed Mali to go to the polls, though since the peace process came to a standstill. The key northern cities of Kidal and Gao remain highly unstable. [VV/BO]