Algiers consultations resume Monday to resolve lingering Malian crisis

The international mediation team led by Algeria will be re-examining as from Monday in Algiers the protracted Malian crisis in a bid to promote peace and achieve a lasting ceasefire in the volatile Azawad territory in northern Mali.

The meeting will be taking place in the presence of a delegation from the Coordination of Azawad movements (CMA) and representatives of the Malian Government in Bamako, as well as members of the mediation team led by Algeria under United Nations auspices.

Such a conciliatory and troubleshooting meeting is being held against a backdrop of renewed tension in the Azawad region with reported clashes reported over the past few days notably in Timbuktu and nearby areas in northern Mali.

It should be noted that on May 15^th, Mail’s government signed the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation with pro-government militias as well as some minor rebel groups in a ceremony held in Bamako in absence of the country’s main rebel group, the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA). The peace accord is meant to stabilize the situation in the country’s north.

“The UN Secretary-General notes that the signing by some of the Malian parties at issue is an important step on the path towards sustainable peace,” said a statement released by Ban Ki Moon’s spokesperson. “He conveys his sincere hope that other parties to the Algiers political process will adhere to the Agreement as soon as possible. “

Mali’s Tuareg-led CMA announced earlier this week its decision to sign the agreement, but said “as for the date of May 15, 2015, which was fixed for signing of the final document and was arrived at without prior consultation with CMA, the group is not concerned with it and therefore it will not be present.”

The CMA signed up to a preliminary peace agreement with the government in Algiers Thursday but said “some of its aspects need to be worked on with the mediators and the Mali government.”

Ban welcomed the initialing of the agreement by the Coordination coalition of armed groups, saying he firmly believes that the agreement is a strong basis on which to build a just and lasting peace in Mali.

He also called on the Malian parties at issue to keep the agreement open to the adhesion of outstanding parties and to continue dialogue in view of securing the signature of all parties as soon as possible.

At the end of last month, hostilities resumed in northern Mali between Tuareg rebels and pro-government militias. UN Security council has been calling for immediate end of fighting and urging the CMA to sign the peace accord, brokered by Algeria under the auspices of the United Nations, to address the long-term crisis in the country.