The 2015 Agreement in Mali: A Complicated Path to Peace

The 2015 Agreement, also known as the Algiers Accord, was signed on June 20th, 2015, between the Malian government and several armed groups in the country`s north. The agreement aimed to bring an end to years of conflict and establish a lasting peace in Mali.

The conflict in Mali dates back to 2011 when a Tuareg rebellion broke out in the north, seeking greater autonomy for the region. The rebellion was quickly hijacked by Islamist extremist groups, including Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Ansar Dine, who sought to establish an Islamic caliphate in the region.

The situation in Mali further deteriorated in 2012 when a military coup ousted the democratically elected government, creating a power vacuum that allowed the armed groups to gain control of large parts of the country.

The 2015 Agreement was supposed to address the root causes of the conflict, including the political marginalization of the north, underdevelopment, and the lack of security. The accord also sought to disarm the armed groups and integrate them into the national army and security forces.

However, implementing the agreement proved to be a challenging task. The parties involved in the agreement had different interpretations of its provisions, and there was a lack of trust between them. The peace process was also complicated by the presence of multiple armed groups, some of which were not signatories to the agreement.

The Malian government struggled to deliver on its promises, including the decentralization of power and the provision of basic services to the north. The implementation of the agreement was also hampered by the continued attacks by armed groups, which undermined the security situation in the country.

Despite the difficulties, progress has been made in some areas. The government has established interim authorities in the north, and the disarmament process has started. The United Nations has also deployed a peacekeeping mission in the country, known as the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

However, the peace process in Mali is far from complete. The security situation in the north remains volatile, with attacks by armed groups continuing. The government has also been criticized for not doing enough to address the root causes of the conflict, such as corruption and underdevelopment.

In conclusion, the 2015 Agreement in Mali was a significant step towards peace in the country. However, its implementation has been complicated by the lack of trust between the parties and the ongoing security threats posed by armed groups. To achieve lasting peace in Mali, there is a need for political will, genuine dialogue, and concerted efforts to address the underlying causes of the conflict.