Protagonists in Mali's crisis to sign Ouagadougou agreement

The talks between the delegation of the Malian government and the representatives of the different armed groups operating in the north of the West African country could end with the signing of an important agreement. The different groups taking part in the talks in Ouagadougou, capital of Mali's southern neighbor Burkina Faso, include the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), the Supreme Council for Azawad Unity (HCA), the self-defense movements as well as the Azawad Arab Movement (MAA). The talks between the different groups began on Sunday behind closed doors, with a work plan proposed by Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore, the mediator in the Malian crisis. The work plan calls for the cessation of hostilities to create conditions for holding free and fair elections and the return of refugees. It also urged the redeployment of the general administration as well as the return of social services and the security forces to northern Mali, especially in Kidal, the MNLA stronghold, in accordance with the modalities that will be negotiated. The work plan also stipulates the follow-up and evaluation mechanisms which will mainly be undertaken by the regional countries as well as Mali's financial and technical partners. The mediator in the Malian crisis said the work plan envisages the holding of peace dialogue after the presidential elections, to ensure restoration of lasting peace and inclusive development in northern Mali. Pending the signing of the agreement later on Monday, all the protagonists have expressed their desire to see the crisis finally resolved. Such sentiments were expressed by Tiebile Drame, the head of the government delegation, and the special adviser to the Malian president in charge of negotiating with the armed groups. Drame reiterated the commitment by the Malian government to use dialogue to find a solution to the crisis that the country is currently faced with. Noting that the "present inclusive dialogue is meant to create ideal conditions for the holding of the presidential elections across the entire national territory," Drame insisted on the "respect for territorial integrity, Mali's national unity and the respect for the secular and republican nature of the state." The spokesman for the joint MNLA/HCA commission, Mahmoud Djery Maiga, expressed the same determination to end the crisis. "We understand the challenges that our country is faced with and hope that this meeting will be the beginning of the process to finally end the crisis," Maiga said. A Malian political observer expressed hope that all these statements being uttered by various groups could be concretised, so that peace can return to northern Mali; if not, the Malian army could be forced to intervene. On May 30, Mali's Defense Minister Yamoussa Camara declared that "the Malian army is ready to act in case of failure of talks with the MNLA, a Tuareg rebel group that is controlling the region of Kidal. "The recovery of Kidal is not a problem, if the French think that Kidal can be recovered without any single drop of blood, then that will be a good thing. However, the Malian army is ready to fight to recapture Kidal," Mali's defense minister warned. A Malian citizen living in Ouagadougou told Xinhua that he was hopeful the talks would be successful. Mali is planning to hold presidential polls in July to end the crisis since a military coup on March 22, 2012. The country has restored control in most of the northern region from rebel groups with the help of France and other African countries. The MNLA is the only main rebel group continuing its presence in the region as negotiations are going on for a solution.