Editing Azawad (section)

==History==
{{History of Azawad}}
After European powers formalized the [[scramble for Africa]] in the [[Berlin Conference (1884)|Berlin Conference]], the French assumed control of the land between the 14th [[meridian (geography)|meridian]] and Miltou, South-West [[Chad]], bounded in the south by a line running from [[Say, Niger]] to Baroua. Although the Azawad region was French in name, the [[Berlin conference#Principle of Effectivity|principle of effectivity]] required France to hold power in those areas assigned, e.g. by signing agreements with local chiefs, setting up a government, and making use of the area economically, before the claim would be definitive. On 15 December 1893, Timbuktu, by then long past its prime, was annexed by a small group of French soldiers, led by Lieutenant Gaston Boiteux.<ref>{{Harvnb |Hacquard|1900|p=[http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k103743p/f78.image 71]}}; {{Harvnb|Dubois|White|1896|url=https://archive.org/stream/timbuctoomyster01whitgoog#page/n374/mode/1up|p=358}}</ref> The region became part of [[French Sudan]] (Soudan Français), a colony of France. The colony was reorganised and the name changed several times during the French colonial period. In 1899 the French Sudan was subdivided and the Azawad became part of [[French Sudan|Upper Senegal and Middle Niger]] (Haut-Sénégal et Moyen Niger). In 1902 it was renamed as [[Senegambia and Niger]] (Sénégambie et Niger), and in 1904 this was changed again to [[Upper Senegal and Niger]] (Haut-Sénégal et Niger). This name was used until 1920 when it became French Sudan again.{{sfn|Imperato|1989|pp=48–49}}

===Under Malian rule===
[[File:Touaregs at the Festival au Desert near Timbuktu, Mali 2012.jpg|thumb|left|[[Tuareg people|Tuaregs]] at the January 2012 [[Festival au Désert]] in [[Timbuktu]], just before the [[National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad|MNLA]] launched the [[Tuareg rebellion (2012)|Azawadi rebellion]] later in the same month]]

French Sudan became the autonomous state of Mali within the [[French Community]] in 1958, and Mali became independent from France in 1960. Four major Tuareg rebellions took place against Malian rule: the [[First Tuareg Rebellion]] (1962–64), the [[Tuareg Rebellion (1990–1995)|rebellion of 1990–1995]], the [[Tuareg rebellion (2007–2009)|rebellion of 2007–2009]], and a [[Tuareg rebellion (2012)|2012 rebellion]].

In the early twenty-first century, the region became notorious for banditry and drug smuggling.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.la-croix.com/Actualite/S-informer/France/Une-zone-immense-et-incontrolable-aux-confins-du-Sahara-_NG_-2010-09-20-604494|title=Une zone immense et incontrôlable aux confins du Sahara|language=fr|newspaper=La Croix|date=20 September 2010|access-date=9 June 2012}}</ref> The area has been reported to contain great potential mineral wealth, including petroleum and uranium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jmpmali.com/html/fourpagefive.html|title=Le secteur minier du Mali, un potentiel riche mais inexploité|year=2011|publisher=Les Journées Minières et Pétrolières du Mali|access-date=3 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231153626/http://www.jmpmali.com/html/fourpagefive.html|archive-date=31 December 2012}}</ref>

===Independence War===
{{Main|Tuareg rebellion (2012)}}
On 17 January 2012, the MNLA announced the start of an [[2012 insurgency in the Azawad|insurrection]] in Northern Mali against central government, declaring that it "will continue so long as Bamako does not recognise this territory as a separate entity".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mnlamov.net/english/93-the-renewal-of-armed-struggle-in-azawad.html|title=The Renewal of Armed Struggle in Azawad|date=17 January 2012|publisher=Mouvement National de libération de l'Azawad|access-date=2 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125052225/http://www.mnlamov.net/english/93-the-renewal-of-armed-struggle-in-azawad.html|archive-date=25 January 2012}}</ref> After the first attack took place in the town of [[Ménaka]], further fighting was reported in different parts of the north, including [[Aguelhok]], [[Tessalit]], [[Léré, Mali|Léré]], and [[Niafunké]]. Contradictory reports on military gains and losses from Malian military, were strongly denied by the Malian government.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/95252/mali-a-timeline-of-northern-conflict. |title = A timeline of northern conflict|date = 5 April 2012}}</ref> On 24 January, the MNLA [[Battle of Aguelhok|won control]] of the town of [[Aguelhok]], killing around 160 Malian soldiers and capturing dozens of heavy weapons and military vehicles. In March 2012, the MNLA and Ansar Dine took control of the regional capitals of [[Kidal]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17562066|work=BBC News|title=Mali coup: Rebels seize desert town of Kidal|date=30 March 2012|access-date=30 March 2012}}</ref> and [[Gao]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17576263|title=Mali Tuareg rebels seize key garrison town of Gao|date=31 March 2012|access-date=1 April 2012|work=BBC News}}</ref> along with their military bases. On 1 April, Timbuktu was captured.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/mali-coup-leader-reinstates-1403759.html|title=Mali coup leader reinstates old constitution|author=Rukmini Callimachi|date=1 April 2012|access-date=31 March 2012}}</ref> After the seizure of [[Timbuktu]] on 1 April, the MNLA gained effective control of most of the territory they claim for an independent Azawad. In a statement released on the occasion, the MNLA invited all Tuaregs abroad to return home and join in constructing institutions in the new state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mnlamov.net/actualites/34-actualites/164-declaration-du-bureau-politique-.html|title=Declaration du Bureau Politique|language=fr|date=1 April 2012|publisher=Mouvement National de libération de l'Azawad|access-date=2 April 2012}}</ref>

===Unilateral declaration of independence===
{{main|Azawadi declaration of independence}}
[[File:Le Mali confronté aux sanctions et à lavancée des rebelles islamistes (6904946068).jpg|thumb|Tuareg separatist rebels in Mali, January 2012]]
[[File:Les rebelles touaregs joignent leurs forces dans le nord du Mali (8248043080).jpg|thumb|Azawad separatists, December 2012]]
The [[National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad]] (MNLA) [[Azawadi declaration of independence|declared Northern Mali an independent state]] that they named Azawad on 6 April 2012 and pledged to draft a constitution establishing it as a democracy. Their statement acknowledged the United Nations charter and said the new state would uphold its principles.<ref name="udi"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/maliNews/idAFL6E8F605520120406|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725190147/http://af.reuters.com/article/maliNews/idAFL6E8F605520120406|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 July 2012|title=Mali rebels declare independence in north|author=Bate Felix|date=6 April 2012|access-date=6 April 2012|work=Reuters}}</ref>

In an interview with ''[[France 24]]'', an MNLA spokesman declared the independence of Azawad:

{{blockquote|Mali is an anarchic state. Therefore, we have gathered a national liberation movement to put in an army capable of securing our land and an executive office capable of forming democratic institutions. We declare the independence of Azawad from this day on.|sign=[[Moussa Ag Assarid]], MLNA spokesman, 6 April 2012<ref name=spokesman/>}}

In the same interview, Assarid promised that they would respect the colonial frontiers that separate the region from its neighbours; he insisted that Azawad's declaration of independence had international legality.<ref name=spokesman>{{cite news|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20120406-france-24-exclusive-tuareg-rebels-declare-independence-mlna-mali-ansar-dine-azawad|title=Tuareg rebels declare independence in north Mali|publisher=France 24|date=6 April 2012|access-date=6 April 2012}}</ref>

No foreign entity recognised Azawad. The MNLA's declaration was immediately rejected by the [[African Union]], who declared it "null and no value whatsoever". The French Foreign Ministry said it would not recognise the unilateral partition of [[Mali]], but it called for negotiations between the two entities to address "the demands of the northern Tuareg population [which] are old and for too long had not received adequate and necessary responses". The United States also rejected the declaration of independence.<ref name="reject">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mali-idUSBRE83507L20120406|work=Reuters|title=AU, US reject Mali rebels' independence declaration|first=Bate|last=Felix|date=6 April 2012|access-date=7 April 2012}}</ref>

The MNLA was estimated to have up to 3,000 soldiers. [[Economic Community of West African States|ECOWAS]] declared Azawad "null and void", and said that Mali is "one and [an] indivisible entity". ECOWAS said that it would use force, if necessary, to put down the rebellion.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Afrique en Ligue |title=Azawad independence: ECOWAS calls declaration of Azawad independence 'null and void' |date=7 April 2012 |url=http://www.afriquejet.com/azawad-independence-mali-2012040736597.html |access-date=8 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409143744/http://www.afriquejet.com/azawad-independence-mali-2012040736597.html |archive-date=9 April 2012 }}</ref> The French government indicated it could provide logistical support.<ref name="reject"/>

On 26 May, the MNLA and its former co-belligerent Ansar Dine announced a pact to merge to form an [[Islamist]] state.<ref name="BBC265">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18224004|title=Mali Tuareg and Islamist rebels agree on Sharia state|date=26 May 2012|access-date=27 May 2012|work=BBC News}}</ref> Later reports indicated the MNLA withdrew from the pact, distancing itself from Ansar Dine.<ref name="Big">{{cite news|url=http://www.fasozine.com/index.php/le-blog-de-barkbiiga/le-blog-de-barkbiiga/8518-nord-mali-le-mnla-refuse-de-se-mettre-len-sardiner|title=Nord Mali: le MNLA refuse de se mettre "en sardine"!|last=Biiga|first=Bark|date=3 June 2012|access-date=3 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608054030/http://www.fasozine.com/index.php/le-blog-de-barkbiiga/le-blog-de-barkbiiga/8518-nord-mali-le-mnla-refuse-de-se-mettre-len-sardiner|archive-date=8 June 2012|url-status=dead|language=fr}}</ref><ref name="voanews.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/mali-islamists-reopen-talks-with-tuareg-rebels/1146352.html|title=Mali Islamists Reopen Talks With Tuareg Rebels|date=2 June 2012|access-date=2 June 2012|publisher=Voice of America}}</ref> MNLA and Ansar Dine continued to clash,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18377168|title=Mali rebel groups 'clash in Kidal'|date=8 June 2012|work=BBC News}}</ref> culminating in the [[Battle of Gao and Timbuktu]] on 27 June, in which the Islamist groups [[Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa]] and Ansar Dine took control of Gao, driving out the MNLA. The following day, Ansar Dine announced that it was in control of Timbuktu and Kidal, the three biggest cities of northern Mali.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mali-crisis-idUSBRE85R15720120628|title=Islamists declare full control of Mali's north|author=Tiemoko Diallo and Adama Diarra|date=28 June 2012|work=Reuters|access-date=29 June 2012}}</ref> Ansar Dine continued its offensive against MNLA positions and overran all remaining MNLA held towns by 12 July with the fall of [[Ansongo]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.france24.com/en/20120712-al-qaeda-linked-islamists-drive-malis-tuaregs-last-stronghold-ansogo-timbuktu-mnla-ansar-dine-mujao | title=Al Qaeda-linked Islamists drive Mali's Tuaregs from last stronghold| date=12 July 2012}}</ref>

In December 2012, the MNLA agreed on Mali's national unity and territorial integrity in talks with both the central government and Ansar Dine.<ref>[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/12/201212420515159568.html "Mali rebels agree to respect 'national unity'"], ''Aljazeera'', Retrieved 2012-12-05</ref>

===Northern Mali conflict===
{{Further|Northern Mali conflict}}
In January 2013, a minor insurgency began when Islamist fundamentalist groups attempted to take control of all of Mali. [[France]] and [[Chad]] sent troops in support of the Malian army. The whole Northern region was captured within a month prior to the Islamists offensive against the South. The rebels' main presence centered around their headquarters in [[Kidal]]. Islamists began slowly regrouping in the [[Adrar des Ifoghas]] mountains until the French and African coalition launched an offensive to eliminate the Islamist leadership and recover foreign hostages being held by them.
Tuareg nomadic groups such as the [[National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad|MNLA]], an Azawadi separatist group, helped retake several main towns in the North, but stayed neutral in fighting between the Islamists and the Malian army. The MNLA co-operated with the French troops, providing guides and logistical services and renting space in their military bases. However, no Malian army presence was allowed by MNLA authorities, due to accusations of Malian crimes against the Tuareg people. Despite this, the Islamists targeted MNLA checkpoints and other military installations with suicide bombers in retaliation. In-fighting also occurred when Chadian intervention forces were accused of firing upon Tuareg civilians.

===Peace deal===
A peace deal was reached in June 2013 between the MNLA and the Malian government. It gave the military lease over Tuareg rebel-held land and provided Tuareg with greater autonomy which was requested after the MNLA revoked their Independence claim. This allowed the northern part of the country to participate in the Malian presidential elections the same month. The ceasefire didn't last long before Malian troops clashed with rebels in skirmishes.

===Continued insurgency===
In February 2014, a massacre of a Malian general's family who were ethnic Tuareg led to an ethnic conflict between Fulani Islamists and Tuareg MNLA separatists. A massacre deliberately targeting Tuareg majority civilians was carried out by Islamists killing over 30 unarmed men.

===2017===
There was a referendum scheduled for 2017 on gaining autonomy and renaming the northern regions into "Azawad".<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKCN1AZ0CF-OZATP | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819111325/http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKCN1AZ0CF-OZATP | url-status=dead | archive-date=19 August 2017 | title=Mali president postpones referendum on reforms| work=Reuters| date=19 August 2017}}</ref> However, Mali's President [[Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta|Ibrahim Boubacar Keita]] shelved the plans for the referendum on constitutional reforms that were met with opposition and ignited regular street protests.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-08-19 |title=Mali president postpones referendum on reforms |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mali-politics-idUSKCN1AZ0CS |access-date=2022-12-12}}</ref>