Third high-level policy meeting on the inter-Malian dialogue process

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Country/entity: Mali
Azawad
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Third high-level policy meeting on the inter-Malian dialogue process
Date: 16 Jun 2014
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Tuareg Wars (1962 - )
Mali-Azawad
The nomadic Tuareg in the north of Mali maintained a long-standing revolt against a government traditionally dominated by southern politicians shortly after Mali became independent from France in 1960. The uprisings focused in and around the Azawad region, north of Timbuktu. After several outbreaks of violence during the 1980s, violence peaked with the 1990 outbreak of the Tuareg Rebellion. Following an initial defeat by the Malian Armed Forces, reparations by the government of Alpha Konare included the creation of the self-governing Kidal region. Violence in 1994 died down following peace between moderates on both sides in 1995 and a negotiated peace agreement. Violence continued due to a lack of integration by combatants, but it was not until 2011 that the situation again escalated in the aftermath of the Arab Spring and the disintegration of Libya, which resulted in a heavy inflow of small arms, and the increased involvement by Algeria. In January 2012, the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) together with several other groups took full control of the region. Disputes on how to handle the situation led to a military coup against President Touré in March 2012 that, in turn, resulted in further turmoil. The MNLA declared the independence of Azawad, but soon lost control of most of the territory to radical Islamist militias including Ansar Dine. A French intervention in January 2013 paved the way for a UN mission, which was established in April of that year. In June 2015 multiple declarations culminated in a final agreement between several Azawad-affiliated groups, including MNLA, and the government of Mali to end hostilities. However, inadequate implementation of the agreement results in continual armed confrontations between pro-government militias, Azawad-affiliated groups, dissidents of Azawad-affiliated groups, ethnically oriented groups, and increasingly since 2017, radical Islamist militias.

Niger-Aïr-Azawad
In 1990 the nomadic Tuareg in northern Niger explicitly sought greater political autonomy following decades of grievances on local political exclusion. With the first armed group Aïr and Azawad Liberation Front (FLAA) to be established in 1991, fighting between 1990 to 1995 took place largely in the Air Mountains. A short-lived truce was agreed in 1994 between the Niger Government and the Tuareg umbrella organisation Coordination of Armed Resistance (CRA), later called Organisation of Armed Resistance (ORA). Another accord was signed in April 1995 in Ouagadougou with various other Tuareg groups and some Toubou, the last signing in 1998. After ten years of relative peace, Movement of Nigeriens for Justice (MNJ) reinvigorated conflicts in 2007 following little follow up by the Nigeriene government on the signed peace agreements.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Mali-Azawad Inter-Azawad peace process
Parties: Page 1, Article 1:
In the context of the coordinated efforts by neighbouring countries to consolidate peace and stability in northern Mali, a third high-level meeting on Mali was held in Algiers on 16 June 2014, attending by the following:

• His Excellency Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
• His Excellency Mr. Abdoulaye Diop, Minister for Foreign Affairs, African Integration and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali
• His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Teguedi, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
• His Excellency Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Minister for Foreign Affairs and African Integration of the Republic of Chad
• His Excellency Mr. Zahabi Ould Sidi Mohamed, Minister of National Reconciliation of the Republic of Mali
• His Excellency Mr. Hamadou Konaté, Minister of Solidarity, Humanitarian Action and Reconstruction of the North of the Republic of Mali
• His Excellency Mr. Marou Amadou, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals and Spokesman for the Government of the Republic of the Niger
• His Excellency Mr. Dominique Djindjere, Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Algeria.
[...]
Third parties: Page 1, Article 1:
[...]
The meeting was also attended by the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Mali and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), His Excellency Mr. Albert Koenders, and the High Representative of the African Union for Mali and the Sahel and Head of the African Union Mission for Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL), His Excellency Mr. Pierre Buyoya.
Description: This is a summary of a meeting between high level policy makers and diplomats about the progress of the peace negotiations in Mali.

Agreement document: ML_140616_ThirdHighLevelPolicyMeeting.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): Page 2, Article 7:
The two parties welcomed the fact that in these two documents, the six movements of northern Mali had affirmed their determination to enter into a constructive dialogue with the Malian authorities in order to find a definitive solution to the crisis in the north of the country, which would entail endorsing the legitimate claims of the populations of the region while ensuring full respect for the territorial integrity and national unity of Mali.

Page 2-3, Article 11:
At a time when the Security Council and a Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union were preparing to study the situation in Mali, the participants expressed their readiness to support those efforts, which reflected the objectives the international community had set for itself in Security Council resolution 2100 (2013), the decisions of the African Union and ECOWAS and the relevant provisions of the Ouagadougou Preliminary Agreement, whose goal was to preserve the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Mali and strengthen its national unity.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
Page 1, Article 2:
Predicated on solidarity with Mali, the high-level meeting provided an opportunity for reviewing the current developments in the country, especially in the north, following the tragic events in Kidal on 17 and 21 May 2014 and their implications for the security, political, economic and humanitarian situation and for the attempt to relaunch the peace process in Mali.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: Page 2, Article 8:
The Malian delegation expressed its deep appreciation for those results, which were an effective and constructive basis for quickly launching, in Algiers, the initial phase of the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue. It declared its readiness to work in good faith to consolidate the process under way in Algiers and the progress already made, and it reaffirmed its full confidence that Algeria would bring that initial phase of the inter-Malian negotiations to a successful conclusion, in accordance with the wishes of President Keita. It called on its regional and international partners to work together to support the approach Mali had agreed upon with Algeria, which it hoped to put into effect with the support of the entire international community.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 1, Article 2:
Predicated on solidarity with Mali, the high-level meeting provided an opportunity for reviewing the current developments in the country, especially in the north, following the tragic events in Kidal on 17 and 21 May 2014 and their implications for the security, political, economic and humanitarian situation and for the attempt to relaunch the peace process in Mali.

Page 1, Article 3:
The participants considered that because of their gravity, these events underscored the necessity and urgency of accelerating the preparations for the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue, in such a way as to lay the groundwork for genuine reconciliation among Malians and for lasting peace, security and stability in the country.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 1, Article 4:
They also welcomed the dynamic of peace created by the signing of the ceasefire agreement concluded with the mediation of His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, President of Mauritania and current Chair of the African Union and with support from MINUSMA, a dynamic that needed to be reinforced by launching the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue so desired by the people of Mali and by the international community.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 2, Article 6:
They drew particular attention to the outcome of the consultations that had been resumed on 5 June 2014 with the participation of the leaders of all the movements of northern Mali, which had resulted in the adoption by the movements of the Algiers Declaration and the Algiers Preliminary Platform for the Inclusive Inter Malian Dialogue, on 9 and 14 June 2014 respectively.

Page 2, Article 7:
The two parties welcomed the fact that in these two documents, the six movements of northern Mali had affirmed their determination to enter into a constructive dialogue with the Malian authorities in order to find a definitive solution to the crisis in the north of the country, which would entail endorsing the legitimate claims of the populations of the region while ensuring full respect for the territorial integrity and national unity of Mali.

Page 2, Article 10:
The participants welcomed the progress made under the aegis of Algeria in establishing conditions favourable to the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue and they ascertained that there was a broad convergence of views on the guidelines for the agreed approach.

They noted that the conclusions reached by the six movements of northern Mali on 9 and 14 June 2014 respectively in Algiers and those adopted at the fourth meeting of the Bilateral Algerian-Malian Strategic Committee on 15 June 2014 in Algiers offered a promising opportunity that must be seized without delay in or der to encourage the parties concerned to take the path of inclusive inter-Malian dialogue.

They stressed the importance and urgency of conducting the initial phase of the scheduled dialogue in Algiers in accordance with the agreed timetable and modalities.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 1, Article 3:
The participants considered that because of their gravity, these events underscored the necessity and urgency of accelerating the preparations for the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue, in such a way as to lay the groundwork for genuine reconciliation among Malians and for lasting peace, security and stability in the country.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: Agreement is not signed, but agreement notes attendance on page 1, Article 1:
• His Excellency Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
[...]
• His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Teguedi, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
• His Excellency Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Minister for Foreign Affairs and African Integration of the Republic of Chad
[...]
• His Excellency Mr. Marou Amadou, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals and Spokesman for the Government of the Republic of the Niger
• His Excellency Mr. Dominique Djindjere, Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Algeria.
The meeting was also attended by the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Mali and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), His Excellency Mr. Albert Koenders, and the High Representative of the African Union for Mali and the Sahel and Head of the African Union Mission for Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL), His Excellency Mr. Pierre Buyoya.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: UN DAG Repository:

http://repository.un.org/

Third high-level policy meeting on the inter-Malian dialogue process

1. In the context of the coordinated efforts by neighbouring countries to consolidate peace and stability in northern Mali, a third high-level meeting on Mali was held in Algiers on 16 June 2014, attending by the following:

His Excellency Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria

His Excellency Mr. Abdoulaye Diop, Minister for Foreign Affairs, African Integration and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali

His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Teguedi, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania

His Excellency Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Minister for Foreign Affairs and African Integration of the Republic of Chad

His Excellency Mr. Zahabi Ould Sidi Mohamed, Minister of National Reconciliation of the Republic of Mali

His Excellency Mr. Hamadou Konaté, Minister of Solidarity, Humanitarian Action and Reconstruction of the North of the Republic of Mali

His Excellency Mr. Marou Amadou, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals and Spokesman for the Government of the Republic of the Niger

His Excellency Mr. Dominique Djindjere, Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Algeria.

The meeting was also attended by the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Mali and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), His Excellency Mr. Albert Koenders, and the High Representative of the African Union for Mali and the Sahel and Head of the African Union Mission for Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL), His Excellency Mr. Pierre Buyoya.

2. Predicated on solidarity with Mali, the high-level meeting provided an opportunity for reviewing the current developments in the country, especially in the north, following the tragic events in Kidal on 17 and 21 May 2014 and their implications for the security, political, economic and humanitarian situation and for the attempt to relaunch the peace process in Mali.

3. The participants considered that because of their gravity, these events underscored the necessity and urgency of accelerating the preparations for the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue, in such a way as to lay the groundwork for genuine reconciliation among Malians and for lasting peace, security and stability in the country.

4. They also welcomed the dynamic of peace created by the signing of the ceasefire agreement concluded with the mediation of His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, President of Mauritania and current Chair of the African Union and with support from MINUSMA, a dynamic that needed to be reinforced by launching the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue so desired by the people of Mali and by the international community.

5. With this in mind, the Algerian and Malian parties gave a progress report on the exploratory consultations conducted by Algeria since January 2014, the aim of which had been to establish conditions favourable to the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue, in accordance with the wishes expressed by the President of Mali, His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, during his discussions with the President of Algeria, His Excellency Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, on the occasion of his visit to Algeria on 18 and 19 January 2014.

6. They drew particular attention to the outcome of the consultations that had been resumed on 5 June 2014 with the participation of the leaders of all the movements of northern Mali, which had resulted in the adoption by the movements of the Algiers Declaration and the Algiers Preliminary Platform for the Inclusive Inter Malian Dialogue, on 9 and 14 June 2014 respectively.

7. The two parties welcomed the fact that in these two documents, the six movements of northern Mali had affirmed their determination to enter into a constructive dialogue with the Malian authorities in order to find a definitive solution to the crisis in the north of the country, which would entail endorsing the legitimate claims of the populations of the region while ensuring full respect for the territorial integrity and national unity of Mali.

8. The Malian delegation expressed its deep appreciation for those results, which were an effective and constructive basis for quickly launching, in Algiers, the initial phase of the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue.

It declared its readiness to work in good faith to consolidate the process under way in Algiers and the progress already made, and it reaffirmed its full confidence that Algeria would bring that initial phase of the inter-Malian negotiations to a successful conclusion, in accordance with the wishes of President Keita.

It called on its regional and international partners to work together to support the approach Mali had agreed upon with Algeria, which it hoped to put into effect with the support of the entire international community.

9. The Algerian party agreed to continue its efforts and to lead the negotiation process during the initial phase of the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue.

In that connection, it invited the participants in the high-level meeting as well as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to act to support the developments that would be taking place in Algiers the following month of July.

A road map and a timetable would be agreed and confidence-building measures among the Malian parties would be actively discussed and applied, especially with a view to lessening the impact of the attacks of 17 and 21 May in Kidal.

10. The participants welcomed the progress made under the aegis of Algeria in establishing conditions favourable to the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue and they ascertained that there was a broad convergence of views on the guidelines for the agreed approach.

They noted that the conclusions reached by the six movements of northern Mali on 9 and 14 June 2014 respectively in Algiers and those adopted at the fourth meeting of the Bilateral Algerian-Malian Strategic Committee on 15 June 2014 in Algiers offered a promising opportunity that must be seized without delay in or der to encourage the parties concerned to take the path of inclusive inter-Malian dialogue.

They stressed the importance and urgency of conducting the initial phase of the scheduled dialogue in Algiers in accordance with the agreed timetable and modalities.

11. At a time when the Security Council and a Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union were preparing to study the situation in Mali, the participants expressed their readiness to support those efforts, which reflected the objectives the international community had set for itself in Security Council resolution 2100 (2013), the decisions of the African Union and ECOWAS and the relevant provisions of the Ouagadougou Preliminary Agreement, whose goal was to preserve the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Mali and strengthen its national unity.

Algiers, 16 June 2014