Worsening security impels renewed Mali peace efforts

Subject

Peace implementation progress.

Significance

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on July 8 appointed Nina Walet Intalou, a prominent northern Tuareg nationalist, as a minister in his latest cabinet reshuffle. Keita is trying to restore momentum to the peace process, which is stalling. This comes shortly after the UN Security Council (UNSC) authorised an increase of more than 2,500 troops for its peacekeeping force in Mali on June 30.

Impacts

• Jihadists will continue to attack UN and government security forces.
• International partners will press Bamako to hold regional council elections and reinforce its services in northern areas outside Kidal.
• There will be renewed efforts to bring stability in central Mali, where local community disputes and army abuses have fuelled violence.