INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Tensions are soaring in Northern Mali as armed groups and the Malian army engage in renewed conflict.The situation has worsened since the
exit of French and UN forces, leaving the Malian army, now backed by Russia, to face multiple foes over a vast territory.The recent clashes
began in early August 2023 despite earlier signs of peace
Both sides offer conflicting narratives about the violence and its consequences.For example, the army reports 10 lost soldiers and 46
(Photo Internet reproduction)Critics argue that the accord has mostly gone unimplemented, especially following a change in government
leadership in 2021.Both the government and armed factions, mainly Tuareg groups under the Coordination of Movements of Azawad (CMA), accuse
each other of sabotaging the peace process.While the armed groups claim exclusion from the constitutional process, the government refuses
international mediation.Adding complexity, militant Islamist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS also control large parts of Northern
Mali.These groups focus on gaining resources and have led to mass civilian displacements
Since UN peacekeepers left the area, the struggle for territorial control has intensified.These peacekeepers had acted as a buffer, despite
criticism over their limited anti-jihadist impact.The government in Bamako remains committed to military options, straining the already
stretched Malian army.Analysts WarnAnalysts warn of over a thousand violent incidents involving Islamist groups in 2023, a significant
uptick since the junta came to power in 2020.The situation is further complicated by a web of shifting alliances among the various armed
groups.In summary, both sides are entrenched in their positions, escalating concerns for a broader conflict.Calls are increasing for
immediate, constructive engagement from all parties to prevent further violence.
