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UN chief calls for immediate halt to fighting in northern Mali

Xinhua, April 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in northern Mali as "efforts are underway to bring all Malian parties to sign the draft peace agreement."

The UN chief is deeply concerned by the serious ceasefire violations that have occurred in Mali in recent days at a critical moment in the peace process, said a statement released by Ban's spokesperson.

Two soldiers and one child were killed on Wednesday when the main rebel group in northern Mali, the Tuareg-led Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), attacked Malian National Guard in Goundam, a northern village of the country.

The CMA have reportedly clashed with Malian pro-government militias in the northern town of Menaka since Monday. The Tuareg rebels said in a statement on Tuesday that it would defend itself after it came under attack from the pro-government militias.

The renewed tensions further threatened to disrupt the country' s peace process. The CMA refused last month to sign the March 1 peace deal agreed by the Malian government and other rebel groups, on the grounds that its demands for autonomy for northern Mali were not addressed in the document.

The UN Security Council urged the rebel groups to seize the " historic opportunity" to sign the peace agreement to address the country's crisis.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali, Mongi Hamdi, and the UN Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), are engaging with all parties to de-escalate tensions and encourage continued dialogue, said the statement.

A military coup in March 2012 created a power vacuum in northern Mali, which had become a stronghold of Al-Qaida's branch in North Africa, AQIM, and other rebels. French and African troops helped crush the rebellion in January 2013, helping the country restore part of control of its northern part.

Mali held a successful presidential vote in August 2013 aimed at ending the political turmoil, but is grappling with sporadic attacks by rebels. Endite