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Malian defense minister calls for urgent confinement of armed groups

Xinhua, December 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

Mali's Defense Minister Tieman Hubert Coulibaly on Tuesday called for urgent disarmament and confinement of armed groups, an official source has said.

The minister, who was speaking in Bamako during a meeting with visiting Dutch defense minister, said part of their meeting's agenda was the ongoing disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process.

"Confinement was meant to follow the signing of the peace agreement. Its implementation and respect was more necessary and has to be respected by everyone and by all," Coulibaly said.

Last week, four armed groups in northern Mali, which are demanding to be represented in the committee monitoring implementation of the peace deal signed in June, just like other armed groups, refused to disarm and confine their fighters, claiming that the peace process was "not inclusive."

Coulibaly further urged the international community to provide additional support in the fight against terrorism and all kinds of trafficking, especially in northern Mali.

The source revealed the Dutch defense minister had promised that his country will provide all necessary support to its contingent that is operating in northern Mali under the UN peacekeeping mission in the country. Enditem