AU says to send more peacekeepers to Mali

The African Union (AU) is set to deploy another peacekeeping force in the troubled Northern Mali territory to fight against terrorism and organized crime, a senior AU official said on Sunday.

"Terrorism and organized crime are threats to the Peace Accord in Mali, as the AU intends to deploy an additional force there," AU Commissioner for Security and Peace Smail Chergui told reporters.

An African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) was deployed early 2013 to restore peace and security in northern Mali, following the spread of extremist armed groups there.

In July, the mission was affiliated to the UN under the name of United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

A peace agreement was later signed between Mali rival parties after a long dialogue process. However, terrorist groups are still perpetrating attacks against MINUSMA troops, threatening the shaky peace in the region.

Chergui said that amid the growing terrorist threat in the Chad Lake zone, the pan African body also plans to deploy AU-led troops in that region by raising necessary funds.

The AU has already deployed peacekeeping troops in other troubled areas in the continent like Somalia, Uganda, and Sudan's Darfur region. Endit