Absence of Bahanga in talks has no impact, says Algerian mediation representative

Ibrahim Agh Bahanga, en emminent Touareg leader did not attend new round of talks held Friday in Algeria between Malian government and Touareg rebels with an Algerian mediation.

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• For his part, the official representative of the Algerian mediation told Echorouk that the absence of Ibrahim Agh Bahanga is normal and no more than a “matter of choice” made by the Democratic Alliance.
• According to him, it’s up to the Malian government to play its role. “The Democratic Alliance for Change has made many concessions through the Algerian diplomatic mediation. Yet, the central authority in Mali did not give anything in this level.”
• “It is required now to make an initiative, at least to release some rebels,” he added.