The international Mediation in Mali reiterated in a virtual meeting, held on Wednesday, the crucial importance of the diligent implement of the peace agreement for a lasting stability in Mali and the whole region, as part of the monitoring of the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, stemming from Algiers process.
“During this meeting chaired by Ambassador Boudjemaa DELMI, representative of Algeria, leader of the International Mediation, the members of the International Mediation reiterated the crucial importance of the swift implementation of the Peace Agreement to allow for the sustainable stabilization of Mali and the region as a whole. They recalled the primary responsibility of the Malian parties in the implementation of the Agreement, the Mediation communiqué said.
In this regard, the members of the international mediation “regretted that the parties were unable to take advantage of the dynamic created by the 45th session of the Agreement Monitoring Committee (AMC), held on October 5, 2021, during which the Government announced its willingness to integrate 26,000 combatants in two phases,” the statement added.
They noted “with concern the lack of tangible progress in the peace process since that time and the lack of visibility as to its future steps, as well as statements likely to increase mistrust between the parties and complicate the consensual relaunch of the Agreement implementation process.
Members of the international mediation recalled that this deadlock in the peace process is taking place in a complex and difficult security context both in Mali and in the rest of the region, marked in particular by a frightening number of civilian victims of violence. They underlined that the protection of the population is the responsibility of all actors and that they should spare no effort in this regard.
In view of the above, according to the communiqué, the members of the international mediation insisted on the need for the early holding of the high-level decision-making meeting, which was initially scheduled to take place within two weeks of the 45th session of the CFS, to reach consensus on the crucial issues of comprehensive DDR and the political-institutional reforms necessary for the full implementation of the Peace Agreement. They noted that the Government has shared the They noted that the Government has shared terms of reference for the proposed meeting and urged all concerned to engage in this process in a constructive spirit. At the same time, the members of the International Mediation urged the rapid implementation of the 16 Sustainable Development Fund projects.
The members of the international mediation reaffirmed their commitment to continue to accompany the parties and their readiness to take any initiatives that might be useful to that end. To follow up on the conclusions of this meeting, they asked MINUSMA to continue and intensify its contacts with the parties. They agreed to meet again in two to three weeks to take assessment of the situation and agree on any action that might be necessary.
Finally, the members of the international mediation welcomed the Independent Monitor’s seminar held in Bamako last February on the Malian parties’ ownership of its reports and recommendations. They encouraged the Malian parties to take them into account in order to complete the implementation of the Peace Agreement.
