In Mali the government and Tuareg-led rebels have signed deals agreeing to a local ceasefire as well as more political guarantees. The agreement is seen as a step forward towards a UN mediated end to the ongoing uprisings in northern Mali.
MongiHamdi, the UN envoy said that the government has accepted a broad UN-brokered agreement in March, but the rebel coalition delayed a final signing, saying it fell short of their demands, such as a ceasefire in the northern town of Menaka and the withdrawal of pro-Bamako armed groups from the area, to be replaced temporarily by UN security.
While the signing of the ceasefire is done, it will take a bit more to ensure any peace arrangement carries through as there are multiple factions who will need to be brought into the fold, but the government seems committed to bringing peace to the country with Malian Foreign Minister AbdoulayeDiop saying they created “all the conditions for peace.”