(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) The United States on Sunday congratulated the people of Mali and the parties that signed a peace deal with the
country's last separatist Tuareg rebel group, according to dpa.
'We commend the parties for their commitment to compromise and to
resolving their differences through dialogue,' State Department
spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.
Kirby also thanked the Algerian government for serving as lead
mediator throughout the negotiations.
Mali's government signed the peace deal with the key rebel movement,
the Coordination of Movements for Azawad (CMA), an umbrella body of
five separatist rebel groups, on Saturday after months of tension.
Various Tuareg and Arab rebel movements had already signed the
agreement on May 15. But CMA had refused to participate, rendering
the deal practically ineffective.
CMA deputy leader Djeri Mahamadou Maiga on Saturday finally added his
signature to the accord.
The UN-backed, two-year roadmap foresees more powers for northern,
regional leaders and improving development in the poverty-stricken
region.
Mali's north has been volatile since separatist rebel groups and
later al-Qaeda associated militants took control of the region in the
wake of a 2012 military coup.
The French and African military operations alongside the Malian
army restored government control over the area, but rebel activities
and military operations continue in some parts.
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