Tuareg rebels ready for peace talks with Bamako: Malian president

Iran Press TV

Fri May 17, 2013 3:22PM GMT

Mali’s acting President Dioncounda Traore has hinted that anti-government fighters in the West African country are ready for peace talks in view of a negotiated settlement.

Traore made the remarks on Friday after meeting with French President François Hollande at the Elysée presidential palace in Paris.

“I am sure that at this moment, the MNLA is ready to enter into a sincere and meaningful dialogue with the rest of Mali,” Traore said at a press conference in the French capital.

“The MNLA is made up of Malians, compatriots whom we treat differently than the manner reserved for jihadists and we can talk and discuss with them,” he said.

The Tuaregs of National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) had earlier refused to give up its weapons or take part in the upcoming July elections until negotiations have taken place with the Mali government.

The acting president also pledged that elections would be held on July 28 to replace his interim government.

The MNLA Tuareg fighters managed to seize a chunk of the region and still take control of the key town of Kidal.

France launched a war in the resource-rich West African country in January against local fighters seeking independence for the vast northern desert.

The French-led war on Mali has caused a serious humanitarian crisis in the northern areas of the country and has displaced thousands of people, who now live in deplorable conditions.

France began to withdraw some of its 4,000 troops in April. However, France’s Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian reaffirmed in April that the country would keep 1,000 troops in Mali even after the arrival of more than 12,000 UN peacekeepers later this year.

JR/KA