Since gaining independence from France in 1960, Mali has faced significant governmental instability. The current crisis began in 2012 with a coup led by a Tuareg separatist group (the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad). This group was backed by Islamist militant groups in West Africa in a joint effort to expand their territory in the North. Then-President Amadou Toumani Toure was overthrown and the Tuareg and Islamist militant groups were able to expand their control to all of northern Mali. The alliance broke later that year, as the Islamist groups set to impose Sharia law in the north. As a result, the Malian government requested the French military to assist in combating these groups. Furthermore, the MINUSMA, the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, was created in 2013 to aid in combating extremism in Mali. Nevertheless, the following years saw an increase in extremism and violence in the region.
In May 2021, a coup was initiated by the Mali military against the government. This is the fifth coup since 1960 in Mali. Colonel Assimi Goita promised the announcement of a new Prime Minister soon after, while the African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended Mali and threatened sanctions on Mali in order to ensure a civilian-led transitional government. Since then, Mali has delayed its promises to return power to civilians and faces numerous regional sanctions. About 7.5 Malians require humanitarian assistance and over 360,000 are internally displaced.
Peace attempts:
The Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali was signed in June 2015. The Malian government, rebel groups, and pro-government armed groups signed the agreement, mediated by Algeria, MINUSMA, ECOWAS, AU, and the EU, to promote peace in Mali. The agreement seeks to pursue decentralization, reconstitute the national army, and boost the economy. Nevertheless, its implementation has been ineffective and political and institutional reforms have not been carried out.
In 2017, Niger, Mauritania, Mali, Chad, and Burkina Faso created the G5 Sahel Force: a counterterrorism force to fight the Islamist militant groups in the Sahel.
Also in 2017, the government launched a four-day conference titled the “National Conference on Reform.” This aimed to promote reconciliation and dialogue among a number of parties and combat the separatist conflict. A lack of preparation for this conference led to a lack of credibility and commitment to the cause.
In 2019, the UN Security Council extended MINUSMA’s mandate.
