U.S. calls on Mali government to sever ties with northern militia

The U.S. ambassador to Mali has accused the government of maintaining relations with a militia widely blamed for rising tensions that risk undermining a fragile peace process in the country's desert north. "The Malian government should put a stop to all ties both public and private with Gatia, a group of armed militia that is not contributing to peace in the north," Paul Folmsbee said in a post on the U.S. Embassy's Facebook page on Wednesday. "Mali needs to assume a greater responsibility for the peace deal's implementation," he said, urging the southern-based Bamako government to step up its presence throughout the sprawling country.

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