Mali rebels agree to sign peace deal with gov't

The Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), the main Touareg rebel movement, has announced its decision to sign the Algiers Peace Agreement that was signed on March 1, 2015 between the Malian government and several armed groups.

In a statement released on Wednesday in Bamako, which did not give the date or the venue for the signing of the agreement, CMA said the decision was taken "to honor commitments made initially by the armed group as well as by the international mediators to continue monitoring its implementation even after the signing of the final document."

"As for the date of May 15, 2015, which was fixed for signing of the final document and was arrived at without prior consultation with CMA, the group is not concerned with it and therefore it will not be present," the statement affirmed.

CMA had not signed the Algiers Peace Agreement because it argued its demands on autonomy had not been taken into account in the document approved by a section of armed groups and the Malian government.

In conclusion, the CMA reiterated its firm desire to continue pursuing the ideals of the people of Azawad (the name the rebels have given to northern Mali regions) and support the success of the Algiers process.

The decision to sign the Algiers Peace Agreement was announced at a time when the security situation in northern Mali has greatly deteriorated, with numerous violations of the cease-fire by antagonistic armed groups. Endi