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THE presence of African Union chairman President Robert Mugabe in Bamako, Mali, is testament that Africa stands behind the Malian government’s bid to establish durable peace in its country, Burundi’s former President Pierre Buyoya has said.President Mugabe is in Mali to attend the signing of a peace deal between the Malian government and Tuareg rebel forces at the invitation of Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
Since its independence from France in 1960, Mali has faced security challenges from rebel groups such as the Tuareg which are pushing for secession in the northern part of the country known as Azawad.
Buyoya, who is now the AU representative in Mali and the Sahel region, told journalists after meeting President Mugabe here that discussions with the AU chairman centred on the current situation in Mali and details of the peace agreement.
“They (the discussions) were very fruitful, he thanked me for what I said to him and also I said that it’s a great honour for us for him to come,” he said.
“It’s big support for us and for Malians it is a strong message that the whole of Africa is with them.”
Buyoya said that the situation in Northern Mali remained volatile due to a number of reasons.
“In Northern Mali you have first terrorist groups, those who were chased out in 2013, they’ve been coming back slowly and they’re there.
“We’ve also these movements which are negotiating and also sometimes violating the ceasefire and this has created a sense of insecurity in the North,” he added.
A United Nations-backed peace deal, with Algeria as the mediator, saw the Malian government and the rebel movements agreeing to the peace pact which was set to be signed last night.
While the government and some rebel leadership have agreed on the ceasefire, some sections within the insurgency are said to be against the peace process, insisting on more concessions. — New Ziana.
Online Reporter