Luxembourg's development cooperation - Annual report 2015

Population 15,8 million
Surface area 1 240192 km2
GNP per inhabitant (PPP in $) 1583
Classification in HDI 179/188

2015 was marked by the two-phase signature of the peace agreement after several months of negotiations. The first signature ceremony took place on 15 May 2015 at Bamako between the Malian government and some armed movements under the aegis of international mediation led by Algeria. The main rebel groups, dominated by the Touareg (joining together under the banner of the Azawad liberation movements), which had initially refused to sign, changed their minds and finally signed the agreement on 20 June 2015. A committee made up of the stakeholders of the agreement was established to monitor the implementation of the agreement. 

The rebel groups, which were continuing to fight each other on the ground, despite the peace agreement, came to some reconciliation at a meeting in Anefis (northern Mali) last October and agreed on a certain number of points including a ceasefire. This reconciliation should be welcomed along with the establishment of mixed patrols and the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission. 

Despite the positive dynamic at the political level, the security situation worsened in 2015, with an increase in terrorist acts affecting the centre and south of the country, which until then had been relatively free of such attacks. The attack on the Radisson Hotel in Bamako last November reminded everyone that the terrorist risk was genuine and led to the imposition of a state of emergency, which was extended until 31 March 2016.

With regard to development cooperation, the third Indicative Cooperation Programme was signed on 5 March 2015 in Luxembourg by the Malian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abdoulaye Diop, and the Minister for Development Cooperation, Romain Schneider, outside the 8th partnership committee. 2015 saw the launch of the inter-university programme, while the implementing agencies Proman and LuxDev, along with the NGO SOS Faim, formulated their programmes in the north (in Gao and Kidal) and south (Ségou and the Yorosso Cercle in the Sikasso region) of the country respectively. These programmes will be launched in the first half of 2016.