The government of Mali concedes that Azawad is "a human, sociocultural, memorial and symbolic reality shared by different populations of the north." This is the first time since the Azawad-Mali conflict started in 2012 that Bamako is accepting to sign a document including those terms: so far, the Malian government's official stance was not to accept the denomination of "Azawad" -which is advocated by sever pro-autonomy, pro-federation and pro-independence Azawadi groups- as an alternative name for "North Mali".

The sentence is contained in a proposed peace agreement filed last week by the Algerian mediation to the government of Mali and two Azawad's political-military coalitions. One of the two coalitions -the Coordination of Movements of Azawad, CMA- brings together four pro-autonomy, pro-federation and pro-independence groups, which are calling for a "special status" for Azawad. The other one -the Platform- is a coalition of pro-Malian unity groups.

The government of Mali and the Platform have agreed to sign the text submitted by Algeria. In addition to the recognition of Azawad as a "reality", the text foresees the creation of regional assemblies throughout Mali, each one headed by a president, in both cases chosen by popular vote. Those assemblies are to be granted some powers -still undefined- and manage up to 30% of state budget.

However, the Algerian proposal does not consider one of the main demands by CMA member National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA): turning Mali into a federal state consisting of two federated units: Azawad to the north and Mali proper to the south. The text does not either contain a specific provision that would create an assembly for the whole of Azawad, but rather for each of its provinces.

Azawad covers the provinces of Gao, Timbuktu, Kidal and a part of Mopti, and is populated mainly by Tuareg, Arab, Fulani and Songhai peoples. Pro-federal and pro-independence groups have their main bases of support among some Tuareg and Arab sectors.

CMA needs time to check document "with bases and populations"

The CMA yesterday asked for more time to check the Algerian proposal with its Azawadi "bases and populations." Without such agreement, the CMA said, "the agreement is unlikely to be implemented on the ground."

According to Siwel news agency, several demonstrations in Kidal, Menaka and Ber were held last week against the Algerian proposal. The protesters demanded a return to the negotiating table and asked the Azawadi movements not to accept any agreement not turning Mali into a federation.

Further information:

• Follow-up on Nationalia: Mali, two Azawad's armed coalitions sign ceasefire deal ahead of new round of negotiations i Azawadi movements start second round of negotiations with Mali, seek "specific statute"