Mali’s junta has announced the immediate termination of the 2015 UN-brokered peace deal with Tuareg separatist rebels, raising concerns about increased turmoil in the conflict-ridden West African nation.
The decision to end the peace agreement comes as tensions between the central authorities and the northern separatists have resurged following the military’s consolidation of power through coups in 2020 and 2021. Additionally, the military’s partnership with the Russian military contractor Wagner Group, and the expulsion of French forces and UN peacekeepers have further escalated the situation.
In a televised statement, the junta cited the failure of other signatories to uphold their commitments and “hostile acts” by chief mediator Algeria as reasons for the termination of the accord.
An aggravating factor was the red-carpet reception given to former rebels by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in February, which led Malian authorities to denounce the ex-rebels as “terrorists”.
The Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), an alliance of rebel groups comprising Mali’s semi-nomadic Tuareg people, expressed little surprise at the junta’s decision, citing the military’s actions post-Wagner involvement and hostility towards their positions.
Mali, situated on the southern fringe of the Sahara desert, has been mired in violence since 2012 when Tuareg groups’ uprising, hijacked by Islamist militants, sought autonomy for the desert region known as Azawad, citing government neglect. The subsequent peace accord between the Tuaregs and the Bamako government in 2015 has been strained as militant groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have intensified insurgencies, spreading to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.
The UN Security Council has urged all parties to resume dialogue, emphasizing the importance of upholding the 2015 peace deal. However, any escalation with the separatists could compound the challenges faced by the Malian army, already grappling with the fight against Islamist groups amid worsening violence following the military takeover.
This latest development has heightened concerns about the stability of Mali and the broader Sahel region, as the country grapples with internal strife and the growing influence of external actors on its conflict dynamics. The repercussions of the junta’s decision are likely to be felt not only within Mali but also across the wider West African region.
In conclusion, Mali’s decision to end the peace deal with Tuareg rebels marks a significant turning point in the country’s conflict dynamics, posing a serious threat to peace and stability in the region. As international observers closely monitor the situation, the need for diplomatic interventions and sustained dialogue remains paramount in charting a path towards lasting peace and security in Mali.
