New Mujao threat to Algeria

Kidnapping of diplomats, attacking Tamanrasset, Mujao (Movement for the uniqueness and jihad in West Africa present in northern Mali) has  been the bane of Algeria for sometime.  The Islamist group is  threatening once again the authorities following the arrest of a leader of AQIM.

 Mujao, still presented as a dissident offshoot of AQIM has obviously decided to maintain and strengthen its links with the terrorist group. The proposal made by the Mujao is very clear. The aim is indeed to release one of the most influential senior al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the Algerian Abu Ishak. Formally sought since 1995, he is the head of the Legal Committee of the organization.
 
Immediately after the official announcement of his arrest in Algiers, while not part of the terrorist movement, the head of Mujao, Abu Walid, proposed an exchange with one of the hostages kidnapped from Algerian consulate in Gao.
 
Algeria has always refused any negotiations to secure the release of hostages and the Algerian authorities have rejected the offer, causing the wrath of the leader of Mujao "Algeria will bear all the consequences of that refusal. We give an ultimatum to the Algerian authorities. They have until Tuesday to save the life of the hostage.

Contacted  by RFI, Algiers refused to comment on the report.