After several months of waiting, Mali's transitional government and the armed groups from the North – loyalists and former independentists – who had signed the 2015 peace agreement, are meeting again under the auspices of international mediation, led by Algeria and which also includes the United Nations and the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States). This "decision-making level meeting" is set to run throughout the week.

"We will judge based on the results but this is a start," explains a leader of the former independent rebels of the CMA (Coordination of Azawad Movements). "We have been waiting for this meeting for a very long time," confirms the head of a group member of the so-called loyalist Platform. The working groups are to tackle certain sticking points in the implementation of the peace agreement, first and foremost the quotas of fighters from armed groups who must be integrated into the so-called "reconstituted" Malian army. "We must debate the number of fighters involved for each group but also the branches in which they will be integrated – army, air force, gendarmerie, National Guard… – and also the hierarchy," explains a participant. The place accorded to former rebels in command positions has so far been a significant stumbling block.

According to the terms of reference drawn up by Mali's Ministry of Reconciliation, Colonel Ismaël Wagué, political and institutional questions "not linked to the ongoing constitutional revision" will also be addressed.

"We want to know how the peace agreement will be taken into account in the new Constitution," explains nonetheless the head of an armed group from the North.

At the opening ceremony, Mali's Minister of Reconciliation asked participants to "seize the opportunity" of these talks to "finally see Mali achieve a new era of peace and national cohesion".