Mali PM to lead gov't delegation to Kidal on 2015 peace deal

Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Malian Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maïga is expected on Thursday in the far northern region of Kidal at the head of a high-level delegation within the framework of the implementation of the peace and reconciliation deal signed in May-June 2015.

The agreement was signed between the Malian government, armed groups active in the north of the country and the international community aimed at reaching a definitive and durable peace.

This was after a series of rebellions by the Touaregs who have been infiltrated today by jihadists in the north and centre of the country.

The Malian army has been absent from Kidal since 2014 after the controversial visit of then Prime Minister Moussa Mara in May 2014.

Armed groups opposed to the visit to the region they consider as their stronghold killed several civil administrators in that part of the country and Malian soldiers and policemen who accompanied the Prime Minister.

As of today, the Malian army and central administration are absent from that zone despite the peace deal.

From Kidal, Maiga will travel to Gao and Timbuktu.
-0- PANA GT/JSG/MSA/MA 21March2018