Daily Archives: 18 February, 2009

Mauritania and the Tuaregs

To respond something riased by a reader in the comments field of another post:

I don’t know where to put this query for your opinion, ladies and gentlemem. There is a security summit of heads of state of 6 countries from the sahara-sahel region: Mali (host), Algeria, Libya, Burkina, Niger, and Chad. It is all about the security situation re: touareg, AQMI and trafficking.

My question is why Mauritania and Morocco not invited? They are also concerned by this issue. Thanks if anyone can shed some light on this.

Manipultion of these groups by states are somehow confirmed: le Soir de Bamako accusing Mauritania of involvemnt in helping the Ag Bahanga group and President ATT of Mali accusing directly in an interviewwith RFI on 6 February Mauritania of involvement again in his troubles with the touaregs.

If small Mauritania is involved in aiding the touaregs, I am also thinking that Mali is involved in something that has to do with protecting the emirs (all algerians according to Kal) that were running those behind Lemgheity, Tourine and the murder of the 4 French tourists by Ould Sidna and Ould Chabarnou. Otherwise, the current “animosity” for quite some time between these two neighboring countries does not fly. I know there is some conspiracy theory in what I am saying, but I find this awkward. The 2 states (Mauritania and Mali) are mute on this, including Algeria, Libya, Morocco, the US and France. They all know who did what, but they are all keeping quiet about it, while innocent people are been killed.

It is to my knowledge correct to say that Mauritania is backing elements of the Tuareg rebellion in Mali. Last month I was told about a conversation between elements in the junta in which using the Tuaregs as a way of getting back at “the lekwar” (black Africans, e.g. Mali) was discussed and encouraged. I am told that the junta is providing weapons, logistics and even money (though I’m quite sure how much cash they’re able to provide). I haven’t seen news reports on it, but this what I have been told by people in Nouakchott. So I think that might be an important part of their abscence, along with other factions. As to why it was abruptly canceled, I’m not sure. I encourage informed readers to enlighten us all.