ALGIERS // The Malian government signed a peace agreement with some northern armed groups on Sunday in Algiers but the main Tuareg rebel alliance asked for more time to consult its grassroots.
The deal, hammered out in eight months of tough negotiations in neighbouring Algeria, provides for the transfer of a raft of powers from Bamako to the north, an area the rebels refer to as “Azawad”.
Militants linked to Al Qaeda seized control of northern Mali for more than nine months until a French-led military intervention in 2013 that partly drove them from the region.
Militant groups were not invited to the Algiers talks.
The Tuareg rebel alliance that includes the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad said it had asked for a “reasonable delay” for consultations before signing.
“An agreement that has not been shared with the people of the region has little chance of being implemented on the ground,” an alliance representative said.
But Algerian foreign minister Ramtane Lamamra expressed optimism that the rebel alliance would sign soon.
“The agreement will be signed by all the groups,” he said. The delay sought by the Tuareg alliance was merely an indication of their “desire to secure the maximum support for the deal”.
Mali’s former colonial ruler France welcomed the agreement.
“The agreement finalised this morning in Algiers is an excellent development,” foreign minister Laurent Fabius said.
“I salute the decision of the president and the Malian government to sign it and call on all groups in the north to do so without delay,” he said.
A spokesman for the groups that did sign hailed the agreement as “an essential document for restoring peace and reconciliation”.
“We have undertaken to respect the spirit and the letter of it,” Harouna Toureh said.
Ethnic divisions run deep in the northern desert, the cradle of a Tuareg separatist movement which has spawned several rebellions since the 1960s.
The agreement calls for “reconstruction of the country’s national unity” in a manner that “respects its territorial integrity and takes account of its ethnic and cultural diversity”.
In deference to the concerns of the Malian government about separatism, it does not use the word autonomy in setting out the powers the region will enjoy.
Political scientist Rachid Tlemcani said the accord would be “a great victory of Algerian diplomacy” if it succeeds, but remained “sceptical” that it would resolve the root causes of the conflict.
* Agence France-Presse
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
What is double taxation?
- Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
- Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
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Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
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The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
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Rating: 4.5/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Ticket prices
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Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
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Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
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Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
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L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
