Mali’s message to the world: We have not yet asked anyone to negotiate with terrorists
Mali denied the mandate of anyone or a interlocutor for terrorists, days after one of its ministries announced it.
In a statement posted on social media, the government said it is informing national and international public opinion that no national or international organization has been officially authorized to negotiate with terrorists.
The statement added: “When the Government of the Republic of Mali deems it appropriate to start negotiations with any armed groups, it will inform the Malian people through the appropriate channels.”
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The government said it had learned “from the press” that the country had begun negotiations with terrorist leaders.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs issued a statement last week saying it has been officially tasked with holding talks with some terrorist groups.
The statement of the Minister for Religious Affairs, Mr. Mahamadou Koni, was quoted as saying that his office was responsible for » good offices mission with armed terrorist groups».
Minister Koni tasked Mali’s Supreme Islamic Council for “field” implementation during a meeting on 12 October.
The Supreme Islamic Council is a body for dialog with the authorities, bringing together religious leaders and organizations.
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Photos of the meeting between the council and the finance minister who “explains” to the council the “mission of good offices” were posted on the ministry’s Facebook page.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Dam Seek told AFP: “It is now becoming administratively clear that our ministry is responsible for the file.”
The truth about the discussions between the Malian authorities and some terrorist groups was not in doubt for experts long before former President Ibrahim Abubakar Keita, who was deposed by the army, acknowledged contacts in February 2020.
A dialog with the terrorists appears to be primarily about terrorist leaders Amadou Koufa and Iyad ag Ghali and their groups associated with Al-Qaida, rather than the terrorist organization ISIS.
Mali’s main ally, France, has long rejected such a dialog.
Relations between Bamako and Paris are at their most serious since French involvement began in 2013.
The Malian prime minister denounced France’s decision to reduce its number in the Sahel by 2023 and said France had “abandoned it halfway.”
