Niger’s Unfolding Crisis: Tuareg Diaspora’s Statement on the Discriminatory Agreement and Mali’s Peace Accord Violation”

The Tuareg Diaspora in the United States of America has released a statement addressing the ongoing crisis in Niger: Mali’s Breach of the 2015 Peace Accord and discriminatory agreement. 

Statement:

The Tuareg Diaspora in the United States of America unequivocally denounces the recent coup d’état in Niger. This act significantly undermines the pillars of democratic governance and poses substantial risks to the stability of the entire region.

Following this, the junta in Niger, in collaboration with the juntas of Burkina Faso and Mali, ratified the “Charter of Liptako-Gourma Establishing the Alliance of Sahel States.” Contrary to advancing democratic ideals, this accord openly opposes the rights and interests of the Tuareg people and other nomadic communities. Such a move represents a glaring violation of principles of justice, equality, and human rights. Actions of this nature perpetuate divisions, intensify mistrust, and pave the way for heightened conflicts within the region. It’s essential to highlight the subsequent events:

Breach of Peace Accords: Mali’s continuous and evident disregard for the 2015 peace agreement with the Azawad Movements. The Algiers peace agreement intended to serve as a beacon of hope to diminish the prolonged conflict between Mali and Azawad. However, the withdrawal of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) upon Mali’s insistence led to a surge in violence against civilians by the combined forces of Wagner-Russia/Mali and Islamists.

• Violation of Ceasefire Commitments: Mali’s repeated breaches of ceasefire agreements, which exacerbate ongoing clashes and elevate regional tensions.
•  Engagement with the Wagner-Russia Group: The Malian junta’s engagement with the Wagner Group, implicated in several civilian massacres, notably targeting the Tuaregs and other nomadic communities historically marginalized.
•  Lack of Inclusive Governance: Mali’s continued neglect in fostering inclusive governance, especially in northern regions, thereby depriving the Azawad community of essential political participation.
• Alarming is the inclination of the military regimes in Niger and Burkina Faso to adopt Mali’s misguided approach, inadvertently creating a hospitable environment for extremist factions to thrive.

We, the Tuareg Diaspora in the United States, hereby declare:

• Unwavering solidarity with the people of Azawad, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso in their pursuit of democracy and freedom against coup perpetrators and Islamist terrorists
•  We urge the juntas of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to restore constitutional order and to decisively cut ties with the Wagner-Russia Group.
• We further appeal to the international community, with emphasis on the Biden administration, to intensify its scrutiny of ongoing and potential human rights abuses in the Sahel region perpetrated by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso against pastoralist communities.

Tuareg Diaspora in the United States of America