First rehabilitation camps established for former Malian rebel fighters


The construction of the first camps, or cantonment sites, established to rehabilitate former rebel fighters in Mali, has begun.

Northern Mali, including Timbuktu, was overrun by extremist forces in 2012.

In line with the fragile peace agreement between the government and rebel factions last year, a series of rehabilitation camps are due to be established under the supervision of the UN Mission in Mali, MINUSMA.

MINUSMA said that providing for the demobilization of former fighters, is a "crucial step" in implementing the peace agreement overall.


SOURCE: Matthew Wells, United Nations.