Despite the presence of foreign troops, Mali has been struggling to contain a jihadist revolt that broke out in 2012. His representative in central Mali has already sent envoys to Mali’s two leading jihadists, Amadou Koufa and Iyad Ag Ghaly. Growing calls for talks with jihadists both from Malians and from abroad had been pushing the government to consider the option, he said. Bagayoko, from the African Security Sector Network, said Keita meant to show that Iyad Ag Ghaly wasn’t always “a terrorist”. Late last month, Traore said that he had sent envoys to both Koufa and Ag Ghali, the leading jihadists in Mali.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 13, 2020 03:45 UTC