Algerian President: Algeria is ready to lend a helping hand to Mali and there are indirect contacts
On Saturday evening, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed his country’s readiness to extend a helping hand to Mali, if requested, stressing: “We’ve always been brothers and siblings to the state of Mali and we will remain so”.
In a meeting with the Algerian press, Tebboune explained that there are indirect contacts between Algeria and Mali, adding that history and shared destiny are inevitable.
He emphasized that the situation in Mali was expected to deteriorate because the country entered a phase that could only lead to instability, noting that the wise path is dialogue, even if the transfer of power isn’t carried out in a constitutional manner, it can be constitutionalized.
He pointed out that Algeria hasn’t and won’t interfere in the internal affairs of Mali or other countries, and that the peace agreement it oversaw in 2015 between the Malian government and the Azawad movements is a matter for Mali and not an Algerian matter.
He stressed that the Malians always eventually return to dialogue, especially with the help of Algeria, and that he is convinced of their ability to overcome this situation that the country is experiencing.
Tebboune’s remarks come more than a week after the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, in alliance with the Azawad Liberation Front, carried out simultaneous attacks targeting seven cities: Bamako, Kati, Konna, Sévaré, Mopti, Kidal, and Gao.
The Azawad Front announced its control over Kidal and Tessalit, while the Malian transitional president, General Assimi Goita, declared that the situation was under control and that the pursuit of the militants was continuing.
