Dialogue with the jihadists: Bamako and Paris display their differences

Jean-Yves Le Drian during his stay in Bamako where he visited for the first time since the coup d'état of August 18.  REUTERS / Paul Lorgerie

 The French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean Yves Le Drian began a visit to our country on Monday, October 26, 2020.  During this visit, differences arise between the Malian and French authorities on the question of a future dialogue with the jihadists.

 This first visit of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean Yves Le Drian to our country since the resignation of the former President of the Republic, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita began with the signing of two financing agreements between Mali and France in the sectors  of Water and Energy in the amount of 55, 75 billion.  However, the signing of these conventions did not prevent the Malian Prime Minister of the transition, Moctar Ouane and the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean Yves Le Drian from spreading their differences during a joint press conference concerning the fact of  '' initiate negotiations with the jihadists present in northern Mali.  "A dialogue is possible only with the signatories of the peace agreements, not with the jihadists" declared Jean Yves Le Drian.

 This statement by Le Drian goes against one of the resolutions of the inclusive national dialogue (DNI) organized in Mali in December 2019. The participants in the DNI demanded the opening of a dialogue with the jihadists who are Malians in  with a view to resolving the multidimensional crisis underway in our country since 2012. What the Prime Minister of the transition, Moctar Ouane, did not fail to recall during today's press conference with Le Drian.

 The position of France, whose troops are engaged in the fight against terrorism in Mali, on dialogue with the jihadists may complicate matters.  Yet the supporters of such a dialogue in our country were strengthened in their position after the remarks made last week by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres.  “A dialogue with certain extremist groups is possible.  There will be groups with whom we can talk and who will have an interest in engaging in this dialogue to become political actors in the future, "said the UN secretary general.

 The next few days will tell us whether the transitional authorities will override France's position by entering into negotiations with the jihadists.

 Issa Diallo

Mali online