Rebels signatories to 2015 peace accord launch operation against Islamic State in northern Mali

The offensive comes before the increase in insecurity and tensions over the application of the agreement

21 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The former rebel groups that signed the 2015 peace agreement for the north of the country have launched a joint operation against Islamic State after the uptick in attacks by the jihadist group, amid rising insecurity and the possibility that the peace treaty ends up collapsing.

According to information collected by the French radio station Radio France Internationale, the groups of the Permanent Strategic Framework (CSP, according to its acronym in French) — which includes former Tuareg rebels and members of pro-government militias — have launched the offensive with about 2,500 troops after the latest massacres by the Islamic State.

“We will go where the Islamic State commits massacres to guarantee the safety of civilians and their property, the movements of the displaced and demonstrate that the signatory groups are present and that the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM) is not a alternative”, said a member of the CSP.

Thus, he has denounced that the JNIM, a branch of Al Qaeda in Mali, has launched “a recruitment campaign” among the Tuareg communities residing in the north of Mali, after months of debates on the possibility that the parties of the CSP would unite forces to launch broader joint operations.

Finally, the decision has been adopted both due to the uptick in attacks and the lack of involvement of the Malian military and the Wagner Group mercenaries deployed in the area, despite calls to this effect by the Movement for Salvation. of the Azawad (MSA), one of the main signatories of the peace agreement.

“The units will be mobilized against anything that could pose an immediate threat,” said another member of the CSP, who, however, has reiterated that he maintains his commitment to the 2015 agreement, something that the Malian military junta has also done, despite of rising tensions.

In this sense, the international mediation has shown its “deep concern” about the “serious difficulties” that the peace process is going through, before revealing that in recent weeks it has “intensified” its interactions with the parties.

As part of these meetings, the Algerian Foreign Minister traveled to Bamako in January to discuss the situation with the Malian authorities and other signatory parties, after which a mediation delegation met on February 1 in Kidal with representatives of the Coalition of Azawad Movements (CMA).

Subsequently, the mediation team met on February 13 with representatives of the Platform –which brings together pro-government groups–, while a day later they participated in a meeting with the Malian Minister of Reconciliation, at the forefront of efforts to consolidate the agreement. of 2015.

“The mediation will continue with its efforts over the next few days and (…) it will assume all the initiatives considered necessary to meet the conditions to resume the operation of the monitoring mechanisms of the peace agreement as soon as possible,” he explained, at the same time as He stressed that this includes a high-level session of the Monitoring Committee.

Thus, he has emphasized that the 2015 agreement “remains the most viable basis for the restoration of peace and the lasting promotion of reconciliation and harmony in Mali” and has asked all parties for “understanding and full cooperation”. .

Finally, it has warned of the “terrorist threat” and “the untold suffering suffered by the population”, for which it has called for “a renewed commitment on the part of all the signatory parties, as well as redoubling efforts to achieve the confidence necessary to restart the peace process”.

“In this context, the international mediation urges all the actors involved to refrain from statements or acts that could increase tensions and complicate ongoing efforts,” it has settled through a statement.

PROBLEMS IN THE PEACE AGREEMENT

The CSP announced at the end of December the suspension of its participation in the peace agreement and requested an international mediation process in a neutral place in the face of what it described as the junta’s lack of will to comply with the agreement.

With the Algiers Agreement of 2015 signed between the Government and the Tuareg separatist groups, these became part of the Armed Forces, a ceasefire was sealed and it was proposed to give more powers to the northern part of Mali, as well as the creation of a regional security force and a development plan.

The Tuareg rebels have risen up in arms up to four times in 50 years to achieve, in some cases, greater autonomy or, in others, directly the independence of Bamako. The last uprising took place in 2012, although it was quickly hijacked by jihadist groups that advanced towards the center of the African country.

Despite the declaration of independence formulated at the time by the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), neither Mali nor the international community recognized the step taken by the Tuareg group, and finally the advance of the jihadists led to French military intervention, which provoked his withdrawal.

The French deployment came to an end last year amid tensions with the military junta that dominates Malian politics after the coups in August 2020 and May 2021, which have led to a rapprochement between Bamako and Russia, including the deployment of mercenaries from the Wagner Group.