Mali peace process advances despite terrorism
Subject Progress on the peace agreement. Significance The decentralisation of political and financial power to appointed interim councils for the five regions of northern Mali is a key element of the 2015 peace deal for northern Mali. The government finally took this key step in mid-October, awarding key posts to the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), which had been fighting for autonomy. This may bind the group more strongly into implementation of the peace deal. Impacts The long delayed municipal elections will be a key test of opposition parties' political strength. Jihadist groups will continue their campaign of violence in the north-east, including raids into Niger. Community grievances and jihadism will fuel continuing local violence in Mopti region in central Mali. The UN peacekeeping force will try to strengthen manpower and equipment, but may find it hard to attract high-tech military contributors. The UN force will also open a base in Menaka, in the far east, to counter the resurgent jihadist threat in this area.