Coalition of the People of Azawad
| Coalition of the People of Azawad | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | Ibrahim Ag Mohamed Assaleh (2014-2015) Mohamed Ousmane Ag Mohamedoun (2015-present) |
| Dates of operation | March 18, 2014 - present |
| Ideology | Tuareg autonomy |
| Part of | Coordination of Entente Movements |
| Allies |  Movement for the Salvation of AzawadCongress for Justice in Azawad Popular Front of Azawad Popular Movement for the Salvation of Azawad  Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (2018 only) |
| Opponents |  Mali |
| Battles and wars | Mali War |
The Coalition of the People of Azawad,[1] also translated as the Coalition for the People of Azawad[2] (CPA) is a Tuareg political and military movement formed in 2014 during the Mali War.
History
[edit]The CPA was founded by Ibrahim Ag Mohamed Assaleh, the former external affairs representative of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA).[2] Assaleh created the group on March 18, 2014, in the village of Hassi Labyad north of Timbuktu, in a ceremony with 700 people in attendance, although Assaleh was not there.[2][3] In the statement released during the formation of the group, the CPA consists of 32 members, mostly Tuareg, although the group claims to preside over Songhai, Fulani, and Arab communities.[4] The statement also claimed that the CPA had 8,000 fighters, but this was likely exaggerated.[5][4]
The CPA was created after a fallout between Assaleh and the head of the MNLA, Bilal Ag Acherif, over negotiations with the Malian government.[6][2] Assaleh also disputed with Acherif over the latter's preference to Morocco mediating Malian-Tuareg negotiations. Assaleh preferred the Algerian government's role in the Mali War.[2] In the summer of 2014, the CPA joined the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA).[4] During negotiations with the Malian government in what would come to be the Algiers Agreement, Assaleh advocated for an Iraqi Kurdistan-style autonomy for the Azawad area.[7]
On May 21, 2015, Assaleh was expelled from the CPA. In a press release, the CPA stated Assaleh was expelled for not adhering to the Algiers Agreement, which the CPA signed.[8] Mohamed Ousmane Ag Mohamedoun became the subsequent leader of the movement.[9] Shortly after his installment, his two children were kidnapped by unknown assailants.[10]
Between July 30 and August 1, 2016, Assaleh and Mohamedoun met in Soumpi with other members of the CPA. Following an internal election, Mohamedoun became secretary-general of the CPA.[11] That November, Assaleh claimed that the Coalition of the People of Azawad had been dissolved. This was contested by Mohamedoun, who stated that Assaleh no longer represented the movement.[11] That year, the CPA claimed it had 1,700 fighters. A MINUSMA report stated the group had 500.[12]
In November 2017, the CPA, along with the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad and three other Tuareg movements, founded the Coordination of Entente Movements.[13]
Soumpi attack
[edit]A UN report from August 8, 2018 accused Alkassoum Ag Abdoulaye, the chief of staff of the CPA, of participating in a jihadist attack in Soumpi alongside Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin to gain weapons and ammo.[14] Mohamedoun was also accused of having "very actively contributed to delaying the implementation of peace and reconciliation in Timbuktu and Gao regions."[15] The United Nations Security Council implemented sanctions on him that December, banning him from travelling outside Mali for breaking the Algiers Agreement.[16]
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Anarchy in Azawad: A Guide to Non-State Armed Groups in Northern Mali". Jamestown. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
- ^ a b c d e McGregor (2014-04-03). "Coalition of the People of Azawad: New Rebel Movement Declared in Northern Mali | Aberfoyle International Security". Retrieved 2023-11-06.
- ^ "Nord-Mali : Ibrahim Ag Mohamed Assaleh crée un mouvement dissident du MNLA". France 24 (in French). 2014-03-19. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
- ^ a b c "Mali : Ibrahim Ag Mohamed Assaleh créé la Coalition du peuple pour l'Azawad (CPA) – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-06.
- ^ "Mali – Ag Mohamed Assaleh : " J'annonce haut et fort ma dissidence du MNLA " – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-07.
- ^ maliweb.net (2016-10-02). "maliweb.net - Bamako: Les enfants d'un responsable de groupe armé enlevés". maliweb.net (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-06.
- ^ "Azawadi movements start second round of negotiations with Mali, seek "specific statute"". Nationalia (in Catalan). 2023-07-11. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
- ^ "Communiqué d'exclusion d'Ibrahim Ag Mohamed Assaleh de la CPA". malijet.com. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
- ^ maliweb.net (2016-10-02). "maliweb.net - Bamako: Les enfants d'un responsable de groupe armé enlevés". maliweb.net (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-07.
- ^ "Mali: deux enfants d'un responsable touareg enlevés à Bamako". RFI (in French). 2016-10-04. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
- ^ a b Makadji, Mamadou (September 23, 2016). "Mali : "Dissolution" de la coalition du peuple pour l'Azawad : La CPA nie toute légitimité à Assaleh". Maliactu. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ "Mali : le business du cantonnement ? – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-07.
- ^ "Coordination des Mouvements de l'Entente (MSA, CPA, FPA, CJA, MPSA) : Déclaration du premier congrès ordinaire". kibaru.ml (in French). 2018. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
- ^ "Au Mali, des signataires de l'accord de paix accusés de terrorisme". Le Monde.fr (in French). 2018-08-28. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
- ^ "Rapport de l'ONU sur le Mali : ceux qui font obstacle à la paix – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2023-11-07.
- ^ "Accord de paix: premières sanctions de l'ONU contre des Maliens". Le Figaro (in French). 2018-12-20. Retrieved 2023-11-07.