Mali: Bamako refuses dialogue with dissidents Ansar Eddine,but not with the MNLA
The Malian interim President Dioncounda Traoré says that Ansar Eddine dissidents are "disqualified" from talking to Bamako. However the MNLA could be part of a negotiated political solution to the crisis - as suggested by Paris. A pill that will be hard to swallow for the Malian public as they regard the MNLA as responsible for the current conflict.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Mali-Bamako-ref...
Authorities in Bamako will not negotiate with the recent dissident faction of Ansar Eddine, the Islamic Movement of Azawad (MIA), led by Alghabass ag Intalla. "It is clear that Ansar Eddine is disqualified,it is no longer eligible for any dialogue, also mask some of them decided to wear now," said Traoré RFI on Thursday January 31. "This story of MIA does not match anything. This is because fear has changed sides now they try to escape their responsibilities, "he added.
"The only group with which we can consider negotiations is certainly MLNA provided the MLNA renounce all these territorial claims," said the president of Mali.However Malian popular opinionis very much against negotiating with the MNLA because they regard themas being responsible for the current conflict and they have not forgiven the declaration of independence of Azawad although the MNLA say they have now dropt the declaration. There are a number of accusations against the MNLA as regards atrocities. The problem for President Dioncounda Traore is that he is coming under pressure to negotiate with the Tuaregs following the end of the conflict over their long standing grievances and previous agreements.By withdrawing the ceasefire and launching operations against the Malian army Iyad Ag Ghali the head of Ansar Eddine has forfeited his right to return to the negotiating table and may have done a serious diservice to the Tuareg cause which heespoused.
The issue of Tuareg rights has given way to the calls ofr sharia and the terrorists who hijacked the Tuareg cause. The MNLA is weak and distrusted but perhaps President Traore feels the MNLA is the best option for the time being.The danger of ethnic retaliation against the Tuareg by the black Malian population is very real given the longstanding animosity. The reconciliation process will be a vital part of the rebuilding of the Malian nation but as Libya has shown reconciliation can be very ellusive.
"The only group with which we can consider negotiations is certainly MLNA provided the MLNA renounce all these territorial claims," said the president of Mali.However Malian popular opinionis very much against negotiating with the MNLA because they regard themas being responsible for the current conflict and they have not forgiven the declaration of independence of Azawad although the MNLA say they have now dropt the declaration. There are a number of accusations against the MNLA as regards atrocities. The problem for President Dioncounda Traore is that he is coming under pressure to negotiate with the Tuaregs following the end of the conflict over their long standing grievances and previous agreements.By withdrawing the ceasefire and launching operations against the Malian army Iyad Ag Ghali the head of Ansar Eddine has forfeited his right to return to the negotiating table and may have done a serious diservice to the Tuareg cause which heespoused.
The issue of Tuareg rights has given way to the calls ofr sharia and the terrorists who hijacked the Tuareg cause. The MNLA is weak and distrusted but perhaps President Traore feels the MNLA is the best option for the time being.The danger of ethnic retaliation against the Tuareg by the black Malian population is very real given the longstanding animosity. The reconciliation process will be a vital part of the rebuilding of the Malian nation but as Libya has shown reconciliation can be very ellusive.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Mali-Bamako-ref...