Tuareg separatism in Mali

Abstract

This article provides a contextualized overview of Tuareg separatism and the violence that has attended it in Mali. The article sketches key episodes and developments in the conflict between the Malian state and Tuareg separatist nationalists, and outlines Tuareg political goals and internal dynamics. The article examines the impact on Tuareg separatism of the presence of international Jihadi-Salafist movements in the region and the resulting intrusion of the so-called "War on Terror'' (Overseas Contingency Operations) during the past decade

Effects of conflict on child health: Evidence from the 1990–1994 Northern Mali Conflict

“…However, soon after the Treaty was signed, the government was toppled and the rebel group was separated into opponents (moderate and extreme groups) and proponents of the accord (Kisangani, 2012). There was conflict among the rebel groups, reflecting the power dynamics in Tuareg society (Lecocq & Klute, 2013). 6 The army was beyond the control of the transition government, which increased violence against civilians and compelled people to flee to safer places.…”

History's Value to Conflict and Security Studies in Africa

“…20 As the Malian state is a by-product of the French colonial administration, the same policy vis-à-vis the Tuareg has continued after independence under the presidency of Modibo Keita, including the particularly applied taxes. 21 The feeling of being excluded and the frustrations of the past have become very intense and they now operate in the way of violence. Thus, it is not just about Islam in Mali being influenced by preachers from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, though such preachers have actively transformed several Muslim communities in Mali in recent years.…”

A Southern View on the Tuareg Rebellions in Mali

“…Until very recently, extremists were exceedingly rare among West African Muslims. Though all Tuareg claim to be Muslim, Islam is not everyone’s central identity (Lecocq & Klute 2013), and it is only in the last Tuareg uprisings that Islam became the battle horse of the splinter group known as Ansâr ud-Dîn. While the Ansâr ud-Dîn armed movement explicitly endorses Islam, the MNLA movement claims to be secular.…”

“…The French colonialists exempted the Tuareg population from forced labor and military conscription (Lecoq & Klute 2013) and turned a blind eye on Tuareg use of Bellah slaves as the basis of their economy (see Kisangani 2012).…”