Mali Secures Ceasefire Accords With Armed Groups

Mali has secured ceasefire accords between armed groups of the Fulani and Dogan ethnic communities after months of violent attacks and countless deaths. 

According to AFP the accords were signed by a dozen armed groups in the Mopti and Segou regions in the presence of premier Boubou Cisse. The accords include an agreement to “immediately and definitively cease hostilities, to enable the free movement of people, goods and humanitarian agencies."  

Previous ceasefires have failed to prevent further outbreaks of violence. However, Cisse’s recently appointed government has introduce a new Crisis Management Policy Framework under Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Tiébilé Dramé and the office of the prime minister in order to tackle the situation in the central region.

Last month the U.S. government imposed economic sanctions on Mali targeting individuals and entities associated with the violence. UN figures estimate that in the past year around 70,000 have fled attack in the region.