Mali: New President Keita calls for more local autonomy, rejects Tuareg secession

The external military intervention launched in January succeeded in driving out al Qaeda-linked Islamist groups, but it did not target Tuareg separatist movment – the MNLA. Representatives from the MNLA are expected to attend the congress.

Keita was elected in August after the Tuareg separatists allowed the elections to take place in their northern stronghold of Kidal in exchange for promises of talks to address their demands.

The MNLA has backed away from demands for an independent Tuareg homeland but maintains calls for increased autonomy. Keita, who won office on promises to reunite the country, is under pressure to settle the Tuareg separatist issue.

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