APA – Bamako (Mali) – The Malian authorities have ended the peace and reconciliation agreement resulting from the Algiers process signed with rebel movements in 2015.
The Minister of National Reconciliation, Colonel-Major Ismael Wagué, said the government was still willing to open up to the rebels. However, he pointed out that the question of impunity remained a key issue.
During the operation to occupy the territory of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) by the Malian armed forces, which began in August last year, deadly clashes broke out between soldiers and fighters from certain movements that had signed the agreement, in particular those that had emerged from the 2012 rebellion. This was followed by several attacks on military barracks, which were claimed by the latter. There was also the deadly attack on the Timbuktu boat on 7 September, which killed around sixty people, mostly civilians. Although the perpetrators have not claimed responsibility, some do not rule out the involvement of the combatants, who have remained silent.
For the Minister of Reconciliation, these events have had serious consequences for certain individuals, making them unfit to participate in the peace process. However, he stressed the loyalty of many of the signatory movements to the Malian state. According to him, these movements, mainly those of the Platform and Inclusiveness, continue to play a positive role in the dynamics of the peace process.
According to him, these signatory movements are now considered allies of the State in the search for peace and stability in the country, indicating that the Malian Government intends to work closely with them to promote a lasting solution to the conflicts.
At the same time, he underlined the need to address as a matter of priority the legal and judicial issues involved in these confrontations.
In his view, individuals involved in violent or illegal acts must be brought to justice in a fair and transparent manner. This approach should ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and promote respect for peace and justice.
However, he insisted on the need to address as a matter of priority the legal and judicial issues inherent in these confrontations.
For him, those involved in violent or illegal acts must be brought to justice in a fair and transparent manner. This approach should ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and promote respect for peace and justice.
At the end of November last year, the Malian justice system opened an investigation into “acts of terrorism” against several leaders of the movements that signed the Algiers Accord. They include Alghabass Ag Intalla, Bilal Ag Acherif, Ibrahim Ould Handa, Fahad Ag Almahmoud, Hanoune Ould Ali, Mohamed Ag Najim, Achafagui Ag Bouhada and Housseine Ould Ghoulam. They are being prosecuted together with the terrorists Iyad Ag Ghali and Amadou Barry alias Amadou Kouffa. The charges are: “criminal conspiracy, acts of terrorism, money laundering and financing of terrorism, illegal possession of weapons of war and ammunition and complicity in the same acts.”
These prosecutions come at a time when the government announced on 25 January the end of the 2015 peace agreement, declaring that it was “impossible to apply,” thus rendering it null and void. This announcement was followed by the creation of a steering committee to prepare and organise the inter-Malian national dialogue that will replace the Algiers process, which led to the signing of the 2015 peace agreement.
This new process is being launched at a time when the security situation is far from under control. This is evidenced by the continuing deadly attacks, generally claimed by terrorists. What’s more, despite the loss of the positions they controlled before the Malian army’s offensive, the rebels still have the capacity to wreak havoc as long as their political and military leadership has not been neutralised.
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