Mali: Tuareg separatists sign initial agreement with Keita administration – more required for final deal

Mali’s Tuareg separatists signed a preliminary agreement with the government on Thursday as a gesture of “good faith” to end decades of fighting, but wanted more guarantees before signing a final accord.

Mali’s government accepted the regional backed deal in March, but the Tuareg-led coalition argued that it fell short of their demands for the northern region, which they call Azawad.

Regional powers want a conclusive accord, fearing turmoil will allow Islamist militants to return to the north after military intervention drove them out.

The Tuareg separatists, indicated that they would still need more work on a conclusive deal. They had said this week they would not attend a final signing ceremony that had been planned for Friday in Bamako.

“What we achieved here shows our commitment to peace,” separatist leader Bilal Ag Cherif said after the signing. “We have agreed on many issues, but there are certain issues pending before a final agreement with the government in Bamako.”

The separatists have risen up four times since Mali’s independence in 1960. Most recently, they formed an alliance with Islamist militants in 2012 to seize the desert north.

External military intervention scattered the insurgents, although isolated attacks continue.

The Algiers document in March proposed more devolved powers for the north, a regional security force and a special development plan. But it left the question of Azawad’s political identity for a national debate between Malian parties.

Mali’s government refused full autonomy for Azawad, but said it would devolve more authority under the country’s decentralized structure. The separatists have pushed for a federal system to allow more local powers.

Implementing any agreement will also be complicated with various competing factions and splinters among the Tuareg separatists also trying to regain ground in the remote northern region.

Source: Reuters