Mali’s peace accord to be signed Sunday in Algiers: Algeria

Algeria says the Malian government and six militant groups operating in the restive northern parts of the West African country are set to ink a peace deal on Sunday in the Algerian capital, Algiers.

According to IRIB, a source in Algeria’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday “The Malian parties will sign a peace accord on Sunday morning under the auspices of Algeria.”
Since last July, negotiations brokered by Algeria and the United Nations have been held between Mali’s government and the militants in Algiers.
The Algerian Foreign Ministry invited the media to the signing ceremony, which is slated to be held at 8:30 am local time.
A 30-page draft deal titled the “Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali from the Algiers Process” calls for “reconstruction of the country`s national unity” in a way that “respects its territorial integrity and takes account of its ethnic and cultural diversity.”
Under the deal, a raft of powers will be transferred from Bamako to the country`s violence-hit north.
The agreement also suggests establishment of elected local assemblies led by a directly-elected president, as well as “greater representation of the northern populations in national institutions.”