The government of Mali and two armed coalitions of Azawad -the Coordination and the Platform- yesterday signed in Algiers a ceasefire agreement with a view to facilitating a new round of negotiations that can eventaully lead to a peace deal.

Algeria is mediating between the groups since last year, and has the support of international organizations such as the United Nations, the African Union and the European Union.

The warring parties have pledged to cease "all forms of violence" and to implement "confidence-building measures, especially the release of detainees."

The ceasefire should pave the way for a fourth round of negotiations between the parties, which is expected to be launched in the coming weeks in Algiers.

This is not the first time a ceasefire agreement is signed. A previous one had been agreed in June 2014, but it was later violated.

Three years of armed conflict

The conflict of Azawad broke out in early 2012, when a group mostly made up of secular Tuaregs, the MNLA, conquered almost all of northern Mali and subsequently proclaimed independence. But in June, three Islamist groups -Ansar Dine, AQIM and MUJAO- expelled the MNLA from major cities. In early 2013, an international operation led by France expelled the Islamists, who have since maintained bases in the desert areas, from where they have carried sporadic armed attacks.

Since the French operation, the Malian army has retaken some areas in Azawad. But other territories have remained in the hands of the MNLA and its allied groups: Arab MAA and mostly Tuareg and Islamist HCUA. Meanwhile, another area in Azawad is controlled by government-allied guerrillas -such as the GATIA, which is made up of Tuaregs opposed to the MNLA.

From the beginning of 2015, the MNLA and MAA on the hand, and GATIA on the other, have been fighting over various towns and villages, especially in the strategically important town of Tabankort.

Differences on the future of Azawad

MNLA, MAA and HCUA are allied under the Coordination umbrella, which also includes two smaller groups. The Coordination demands large self-government for the Azawadi provinces of Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal. One of the Coordination's proposals is to have Mali turned into a federal country, made up of two constituent units: Mali proper to the south and Azawad to the north.

This proposal is rejected by the Malian government and its allied militias, which come under the Platform umbrella. Apart from GATIA, the Platform includes the CMFPR -a mostly Peul and Songhai group- and a splinter group of the MAA. The Platform only accepts decentralization or, at most, limited autonomy.

AQIM, Ansar Dine and MUJAO -now known as Al-Mourabitoun- are not invited to the Algiers process, since they are considered as territorist groups by the parties.

(Image: Two MNLA guerrillas.)

Further information:

• Jeune Afrique:Mali : au Nord, la mosaïque des acteurs complique la crise