Mali postpones installation of Northern officials

The installation of interim officials in the North of Mali has been postponed.

According to Malian authorities, the step suggested by the 2015 peace agreement was expected to begin on Saturday at Kidal but was postponed after government appointees were challenged.

Several sources hint that various movements within heavily criticised the choice on Friday denouncing lack of consultation before the appointments. The move forced the Malian government to postpone the event.

The signatories of the peace agreement in Mali established a time table on February 10 to implement two important provisions of the accord before the end of the month.

The provision includes the effectiveness of mixed patrols and the installation of interim presidents of the five administrative regions.

The 2015 agreement is geared towards permanently isolating the jihadists who had taken control of the North of the country in 2012.