Azawad

The Azawad, area claimed by the MNLA

The main zones of nomadic occupation (Touaregs and Kuntas)

Azawad or Northern Mali, refers to the most remote area of Mali, and also takes in parts of Niger, Mauritania and a small part of the south of Algeria. It comprises the Timbuktu region, Kidal, Gao, and a small part of the Mopti region.

A insurgency is currently ongoing in this territory by MNLA.

Etymology

The word "Azawad" is presumed to be of Tuareg origin.

History

Under French rule

Most of the Azawad was inhabited by Tuaregs. After failing to colonise the Azawad via Algeria, the French used Marines to conquer the area from the Niger river region.

Under Malian rule

The area is also notorious for banditry and drug smuggling.

The area is believed to contain a great deal of potential mineral wealth, including petroleum and uranium.

A independence fight is currently ongoing in Azawad. See MNLA Many insurgencies have been recorded in the area since 1963. See Tuareg rebellions

Geography

Climate

The local climate is desert or semi-desert, i.e. very arid.

Administrative divisions

It includes Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal

Demographics

Ethnic Groups

A Kunta in the Timbuktu region c. 1908.

Timbuktu census in 1950

Gao census in 1950

The area was traditionally inhabited by Tuaregs, Moors, Songhay and Peuls.

Kidal, Gao, and Timbuktu also have a good amount of Bambara, who settled there mainly after the 1960s.

Languages

Tamashek, Arabic, Fulfule (peul) and Songhay are the most important languages in Azawad. Bambara is spoken by the people of southern Malian descent living in the cities.

External Links

• The Massacres at Tchin Tarabaden: 10 years later!. This press release (7 May 2000), while polemical, is useful for a pro-Tuareg view of the conflicts in Mali and Niger.
• Gao: assassinat de quatre arabes Kounta: l'Etat tente de faire prévaloir la justice sur la vengeance in l'Essor n°14873 January 8, 2003.
• Nord-Mali: les Kounta désavouent Fagaga. Le Républicain, 14 March 2006.