AFRICA/MALI – The situation improves but the plight of displaced persons and refugees is not forgotten

Monday, 29 April 2013

Bamako (Agenzia Fides) - "The Commission for Dialogue and Reconciliation has already begun its work, the safety conditions have improved and the civil administration is resuming its duties in the northern cities liberated by the presence of armed groups." These are signs of hope reported to Fides Agency by Fr. Edmond Dembele, Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Mali.
The French troops along with the Malian and West African Countries have now taken control of much of northern Mali. The different jihadist groups that occupied them are dispersed in the desert areas of Mali or are directed abroad. According to the international press these groups, from Mali, are behind the latest attacks occurred in Libya, in particular the one that hit the French Embassy in Tripoli. "Here in Mali one thinks in fact that these attacks are the proof that jihadist groups fled from our Country have fled to Libya," says Fr. Dembele. "But our main concern at the moment is the reconstruction of Mali," added the priest. "One of the urgent problems is that of refugees and displaced persons. The aid for IDPs decreases day by day and the suffering of these people increase. The situation remains very worrying because the rainy season is about to start and the risk of epidemics and diseases such as malaria increases," concluded Fr. Dembele. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 29/04/2013)


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