OIC chief calls for respect of ceasefire in northern Mali

The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has called for an immediate end to the hostilities and for the respect of the ceasefire by its signatories in northern Mali.

Madani who is reacting to the latest incident on 11 May 2015, in the north western part of the country in which at least eight Malian soldiers were killed in an ambush, expressed deep concern at the escalating confrontations between the government forces and the armed groups. He reminded the parties of their responsibilities under the ceasefire agreement of May 2014 and other declarations signed during the Algiers peace process.

While urging the parties to avoid acts that are capable of undermining the planned signature of the Algiers peace agreement as the only viable road to peace in Mali, the Secretary General reiterated the position of the OIC on the need for dialogue and negotiations to resolve outstanding issues.