Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


France at Odds with Mali Plan to Dialogue with Jihadists

Nicolas'¯Pinault

   PARIS - The eight-year Islamist insurgency in the West African nation
   of Mali shows no sign of ending and after an August coup toppled
   President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The country's transitional government
   has indicated it is willing to open dialogue with all armed
   groups.France, which has more than 5,000 troops in the country, has
   warned against any discussions with jihadists.

   "With terrorists, we do not discuss. We fight." The statement made
   recently by French President Emmanuel Macron in an interview is-- to
   some analysts-- a clear rebuke of the strategy initiated by
   transitional Malian authorities who are willing to open discussions
   with jihadists.

   "This is at odds with the Malian, with the desire of the Malian
   opinion, to undertake a dialogue with Iyad Ag-Ahly, Amadou Koufa," said
   Nicolas Normand,a former Ambassador of France to Mali. "Actually, there
   is nothing to negotiate because jihadists leaders do not ask for a
   pardon or reintegration in the Malian society. They want to impose a
   totalitarian regime. Of course, Bamako resists to such a will. I think
   the population is not really aware of what it is at stake with its own
   liberty."

   Following the signature of the so-called Algiers Peace Agreement, armed
   groups were supposed to join the national army.

.