Agreement between the Government of Mali and northern Armed Movements

BAMAKO, Mali, May 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- H.E. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), visited Kidal, in the north of Mali, this Friday, 23 May 2014, where he met with the armed movements of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), the High Council for the Unity of Azawad (HCUA) and the Arab Movement of Azawad (MAA). The meeting took place at Camp 2 of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

The discussions resulted in the armed movements accepting an immediate ceasefire across the country; the reaffirmation of their commitment to the Ouagadougou Agreement; the immediate resumption of dialogue; the release of prisoners; the facilitation of humanitarian operations and respect of international humanitarian law; as well as the establishment of an international commission of inquiry, as provided for by the Ouagadougou Agreement, starting with Kidal.

This visit took place against the background of the occupation of Kidal and other towns by armed movements since 21 May 2014. President Ould Abdel Aziz was accompanied by Mr. Albert Gerard Koenders, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Mali and Head of MINUSMA, and Mr Ntolé Kazadi, Head of the Political Unit of the AU Mission for Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL).