Azwad movement attached to negotiation with Bamako, says spokesman

Azwad movement has not taken a position yet toward the French military intervention in Mali and it is attached to dialogue with Bamako, Azwad movement spokesman Moussa Agh Assarid told Echorouk on Sunday.

“Our position will be expressed after our meeting with the Malian government’s representatives in Ouagadougou due to be held on January 21st,” Agh Assarid said.

“It’s Mali which asked for French military intervention,” he added.

He showed reserves on the movement position toward clashes between armed groups and the army which is backed by French forces. Yet, urged to make a difference between innocent civilians and armed groups.

“The movement has never supported terrorism and we are still committed to the fight against terror. We have attacked Tawhid and Jihad moevemnt in Gao area since June.”

“We have always warned the international community of terror threat in Azwad in northern Mali but no one listened to us. You see the result today,” he added.

He believes that his movement was the first which attacked the Malian army but “terrorist groups and drug smugglers pushed us away from cities.”

He also said the movement is “ready to all possibilities”, adding that a meeting was held in January to restructure the movement. “Tens of Azwad’s people join us day after day.”