Fighting between the Malian army and the Tuareg rebellion has resumed in the Kidal region, in the north of the country. This offensive marks the start of a crucial battle for control of this city, considered a major sovereignty issue for the central state.
The clashes began last Saturday and intensified on Sunday. The Malian army undertook operations to secure the entire national territory, while the Tuareg rebels used rockets and armed members.
The complex and volatile situation makes information gathering difficult, particularly due to insecurity and geographic remoteness. The rebels even cut telephone lines in Kidal in anticipation of an army offensive.
Kidal is a strategic city, considered the historic home of the Tuareg independence movements. It is also a crossroads on the road to Algeria. Since the uprising of the Tuareg rebellion in 2012, followed by a truce in 2014, the residents of Kidal have expected an imminent confrontation.
This escalation of violence in northern Mali is the result of a clash between the regular army, rebels and jihadist groups. The withdrawal of the UN mission, Minusma, created a power vacuum, thus fueling the race for control of the territory. The central authorities are demanding the return of the camps in the region, while the rebels oppose it and the jihadists try to strengthen their hold.
The Minusma camp in Kidal, which has just been evacuated, was an obvious point of tension in this explosive context.
The Kidal region has long been known for its rebellion and resistance to central authority. The humiliating defeats suffered by the army between 2012 and 2014 deeply angered the government in Bamako. Even the colonels who took power in 2020 have made the restoration of territorial sovereignty their priority.
The course of the fighting and the long-term consequences of this battle are still uncertain. But one thing is certain: the stability of Mali and the search for a peaceful solution to this crisis remain major challenges for the Malian authorities and the international community.
In conclusion, the fighting between the Malian army and the Tuareg rebellion in the Kidal region demonstrates the persistence of tensions and challenges facing the country. The battle for control of Kidal is a symbol of the instability and struggle for territorial sovereignty in northern Mali. It is essential that all parties involved engage in constructive dialogue to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution.