Brussels, 20 May 2015/ ACP: On behalf of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP Group), the Secretary-General, H.E. Patrick I. Gomes, has applauded the recent positive developments in the situation in the north of Mali.

He welcomes the signing in Bamako, on 15 May 2015, of the agreement for peace and reconciliation in Mali, by representatives of the Government of Mali, armed groups and the international mediation team headed by Algeria, and including Burkina Faso; Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, the African Union, the United Nations, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the European Union and France.

Secretary-General Gomes views this Agreement – the fruit of eight months of inter-Malian negotiations in Algiers – as an important step towards restoring peace and reconciliation in Mali, which are essential for the resumption of programmes for economic and social development in that country, especially in regions in the north.

He regrets, however, that some of those involved in the conflict in Mali have not signed the Agreement, despite having initialled it the day before the signing ceremony, and urges them to swiftly adhere to the peace process.

Secretary-General Gomes reiterates that it is essential that all parties to the conflict, whether signatories to the peace agreement or not, comply strictly with previous ceasefire agreements and strive to quickly implement the Agreement so as to complete the peace and reconciliation process in Mali, with due respect for Mali’s territorial integrity, national unity, secular law and republican form of government.

On behalf of the ACP Group, Secretary-General Gomes wishes to again pay tribute and express his gratitude to all the actors in the peace and reconciliation process in Mali.