UN calls for faster implementation of Mali's peace deal

The United Nations has urged Mali to accelerate the pace of the implementation of a peace agreement signed last year.

The head of the UN Peacekeeping Department, Hervé Ladsous said that it was crucial to support execution of the 2015 peace agreements between the government and armed groups.

He said this during a visit to the West African country.

“I think everyone sees that they must move forward, we must move forward on the implementation of the interim administration, we must move forward on the cantonment, disarmament and demobilization of former militias, they must move on joint patrols,” Ladsous said.

Delays in implementing the peace deal has led to the strengthening of Jihadists. Islamist militants backed by Al Qaeda still present a major security threat and have carried out a series of attacks.

During Ladsous’ visit, he met with the government and the armed groups. He also discussed the progress on the peace process with an international mediation team.

The UN sent peacekeepers to the country in 2013 to guard against militants.

An alliance of armed rebels and the Malian government signed a peace deal last year to end years of conflict after the country fell into a coup in 2012.

In March, a delegation from the United Nation’s Security Council visited Mali’s desert North to put its weight in the fight against terror.