Algerian Red Crescent funnels humanitarian aid to Malian refugees

Three aircraft carrying 60 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies destined to Malian refugees landed Tuesday at Bordj Badji Mokhtar airport in Algeria’s southern province of Adrar at the initiative of the Algerian Red Crescent (CRA).

• The humanitarian aid included included foodstuffs, medicines, water, blankets and tents to support the Malian refugees who have fled heavy fighting in northern Mali between Malian troops and Touareg pro-autonomy fighters.
• Algeria is bracing for a possible “massive” influx of Touareg refugees from Mali, Algerian Red Crescent (CRA) Chairman in Adrar Mr Mohamed Dilmi told Echorouk.

• The UN refugee agency UNHCR said for its part that it had deployed emergency relief teams to Mali’s neighbouring countries to cope with the pressing needs of some 25,000 refugees.

• Meanwhile, mediation talks were arranged in Algiers in an attempt to restore calm to northern Mali, following the violent clashes that broke out between the Malian army and Touareg autonomy movements. Touareg rebels from the MNLA attacked several cities, including Menaka, near Niger, Aguelhoc and Tessalit, near Algeria, and Léré and Niafounke, near Mauritania.

• Multiple people were killed and wounded on both sides in the battles. In addition, clashes caused thousands of people to flee and seek shelter in camps in Algeria, Niger and Mauritania.
•  The war has also caused waves of protests among the families of Malian military personnel who are fighting in the north of the country because of what they described as “authorities’ weak reaction” to the attacks.

• Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika received last week Mali’s foreign minister who handed him a message from Malian President Amadou Toumani Tourè on the latest security developments in the region.

• Maiga lauded Algeria’s assistance to resolve the conflict in northern Mali and said that President Bouteflika “expressed his willingness to help, providing necessary analyses so that our problems may find solutions in a peaceful framework”.

• He confirmed Mali’s commitment “to be more mobilized in the framework of the only war we must wage in this part of our national soil, which is combating terrorist groups and transnational crime.”

• In a televised speech last Wednesday, Malian President Amadou Toumani Tourè urged citizens to avoid revenge attacks.

• The Malian president promised that the “state will mobilise all of its capabilities in terms of facilities, logistics and maintenance to allow the army to do what it should do to maintain the country’s territorial integrity and protect citizens and properties.”

• Meanwhile, some Touareg factions rejected this call to end hostilities. MNLA Secretary-General Belal Ag Sharif said the Algiers talks didn’t concern his group but that they respected the peace efforts of the May 23rd Alliance.

• In an interview with an Algerian daily newspaper, Ag Sharif denied any ties with al-Qaeda and denied that his movement obtained Libyan weapons. He also called on the Algerian government to help stop an “ethnic war” in Mali.

• Ag Sharif added that the MNLA was prepared to negotiate to reach a reliable solution that would put an end to the war and lead to Azaouad residents running their own affairs. “Before any talk about a ceasefire, the Malian government must recognise Touaregs’ rights,” he insisted.