UN Security Council urges Mali rebel groups to sign peace deal

The UN Security Council asked armed rebel groups in Mali to seize the historic opportunity and sign a peace agreement aiming at addressing different dimensions of the crisis, according to a statement released by the council Friday.

The Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, which was signed on March 1 by representatives of the Malian Government, one of the coalition of armed groups "Platform" and all members of the international mediation team, is a critical step to achieve lasting peace in Mali, the council said.

The Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) which brings together a number of northern Mali rebel groups, are expected to sign the peace agreement on April 15, according to Mali's senior officials, but uncertainties remain as the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, the biggest group within CMA, denied having agreed to the signing.

While urging the armed groups of the Coordination to initial the agreement, considered by the council as balanced and comprehensive, the Security Council called on all parties to observe it.

"The council encouraged the parties to seize this historic opportunity and to continue to engage constructively with sustained political will and in good faith, supported by the members of the international mediation team, to sign this agreement as soon as possible and commit to its effective, complete and sincere implementation," said the council. Endite