Images of the deadly attack in Bourem in Mali, September 2022
Mali is once again plunged into the throes of war with the return of hostilities in the strategic region of Bourem. A deadly attack claimed by the CSP-PSD coalition of northern armed groups led to violent clashes between the armed forces and former rebel groups. This escalation of violence endangers the fragile peace agreements signed in 2015.
Tensions between the former rebel groups, grouped within the CSP-PSD, and the ruling military had intensified in recent months. The Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), which is part of the coalition, had already warned that it would act in “self-defense against the junta forces”. She accuses the Malian government of not respecting the terms of the 2015 peace agreement, providing for the disarmament of the rebels and their integration into the Malian administration.
This attack marks the end of the peace and reconciliation agreement in Mali, known as the Algiers agreement, which aimed to avoid the partition of the country and guarantee peace. Since the military came to power in 2021, discussions on the implementation of this agreement have become tense, to the breaking point. The CSP-PSD suspended its participation in the agreement monitoring bodies, denouncing the lack of political will of the transitional government.
This resumption of hostilities highlights the return of tensions in the north of Mali, where the insurrection of Tuareg and jihadist groups led to the intervention of France in 2013. With the withdrawal of Minusma forces underway and the resurgence of jihadist attacks, the region is once again prey to instability and danger.
Relations between France and Mali have also deteriorated, partly due to differences of opinion regarding the Tuareg question. While France intervened at Mali’s request in 2013, the Malian government’s “sovereignist” speeches aroused the distrust of former rebels, who see these remarks as a threat to their autonomy. This difference in appreciation contributed to the deterioration of relations between the two countries.
Faced with this return to war in Mali, it is essential that stakeholders commit to renewing dialogue and respecting the peace agreements. It is also crucial that the international community continues to support the country in its efforts to ensure the stability and security of its territory. Mali needs a lasting solution to end the violence and allow its citizens to live in peace and prosperity.