Mali's Ambassador to Algeria, Mahamane Amadou Maiga, was summoned to the Algerian Foreign Ministry in response to a similar action taken by the Malian ministry over Algeria's engagements with the Tuaregs, as reported by the MaliWeb portal.
According to the portal, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf reiterated Algeria's historical commitment to the promotion of peace, security, and stability in Mali based on three cardinal principles: "unwavering commitment to the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and national unity of Mali," and the "deep conviction that the path of peace, to the exclusion of all others, is the only one capable of guaranteeing peace, security, and stability in Mali in an irreversible and lasting manner."
The Algerian Foreign Ministry urged "all Malian parties to renew their commitment to the implementation of the peace and reconciliation agreement" for lasting peace and stability. Attaf expressed hope that the Malian government, in alignment with its commitment to the agreement, would join Algeria's efforts to give it renewed momentum.
The move comes after Mali's Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, had summoned the Algerian ambassador to protest meetings between Algerian authorities and representatives of Tuareg rebel groups. Mali deemed such actions as "unfriendly" and "interference in the internal affairs of the state." The talks occurred without notifying the Malian authorities, prompting the Malian Foreign Minister to call on Algeria to exclusively consult with Malian official authorities in inter-state exchanges.
In 2015, an agreement was signed in Algeria following talks between Tuareg rebels and Malian authorities, ending fighting in the north and east of the country. The agreement outlined the expansion of autonomy in the northern and eastern regions, as well as the integration of rebels into the Armed Forces of Mali. However, in December 2022, some Tuareg armed groups suspended their participation in the Algiers Agreement, accusing the Malian authorities of lacking the political will to implement it.
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Based on materials from TASS