In Mali, the rebels of the CSP (Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad), signatories of the late 2015 peace agreement which was concluded with the Malian state, want to establish a non-aggression pact with the jihadists of Jnim (Support Group for Islam and Muslims), linked to al-Qaeda. This is what reveals a voice message from Alghabass Ag Intalla, which has been circulating on social networks since Friday May 17, and in which this important leader of the CSP asks his troops not to oppose his approach.
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It is as “ responsible for reconciliation, cohabitation and relations with traditional authorities » within the CSP that Alghabass Ag Intalla began discussions with Jnim, linked to al-Qaeda. In the message sent Friday, May 17 to the CSP fighters, Alghabass Ag Intalla explains, without going into details, having already obtained certain advances and hoping for others. He asks his troops not to oppose his initiative, which he considers necessary.
On April 5, the CSP rebels were ambushed by Jnim as they prepared to carry out an attack against a Malian military camp in the center of the country. The fighting had caused deaths on both sides – we are talking about twenty on each side.
The jihadists had opposed the rebels, historically established in the North, carrying out operations in the center and south of the country, which the Jnim considers its territory. A position which has not evolved to date, despite the discussions initiated. These fighting were, however, surprising, because since the Malian transitional authorities broke the 2015 peace agreement and chased the CSP from its stronghold of Kidal last November, rebels and jihadists have displayed the same common enemy: the army. Malian and its Russian proxies for Wagner.
Non-aggression pact, free movement, information sharing
“ Alghabass is mandated by the CSP board to obtain a non-aggression pact “, people explain to those around them, in order to allow “ free movement of combatants, sharing of information on the movements of the common enemy -the Malian army and Wagner-, and to protect the populations.” “ No question of carrying out joint attacks “, unanimously affirm all the CSP executives contacted by RFI, who are rather looking for a form of ” coordination “. Clearly, everyone would continue to carry out their operations on their own, without mixing but without hindering each other.
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Objective: for rebels and jihadists to concentrate their forces against the Malian army and Wagner respectively. A “reparations” component is also envisaged, after the fighting last April, to obtain in particular the release of prisoners and the return of vehicles. “ But it won’t be easy, confides a rebel executive, because there have been deaths on both camps. »
“ We were all amazed »
However, the CSP is not a homogeneous entity. It brings together rebels from different armed groups, who do not have the same relationships with the jihadists. Alghabass Ag Intalla is one of the founders of the HCUA (High Council for the Unity of Azawad), a split from the Ansar Dine group of Iyad Ag Ghaly, current leader of Jnim, of whom Alghabass was very close. It is therefore not surprising that it was to him that the mission of “discussing” with the Jnim was entrusted.
“We were all surprised by Alghabass’s message,” confides a fighter from the MNLA (National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad). However, it was the MNLA troops who suffered the most losses during the fighting last April. Historically, this movement has always defended the principle of secularism and fought jihadist groups. “ We will never compromise with terrorists », Affirms this source, who does not, however, oppose a strict non-aggression pact. “ If we don’t fight them today, it’s because we don’t have the means.continues this source with a form of resigned lucidity. We are forced to accept in order to first weaken the Malian army. But sooner or later we will also fight the Jnim. » « I agree tooexplains a CSP executive from the MAA (Arab Movement of Azawad). We are distinct movements with distinct ideologies, but we must avoid the accident of last time (the April 5 fighting between the CSP and the Jnim, editor’s note). It’s not about forming an alliance, just avoiding being attacked. »
“ Alignment »
No apparent division within the rebellion at this stage therefore, but it is no surprise outside the CSP and in the Bamako camp that this “ reconciliation » with Jnim is the most criticized. “ This is the formalization of what we already knew “, estimates a Tuareg notable from Kidal, loyal to the transitional authorities and who sees in this approach the mark of a ” alignment » rebels on the jihadists. “ Everything is good to face the army, quips a Malian security source, even if it means making a pact with the devil. » An additional argument in the eyes of this source to consider, in accordance with the speech of the transitional authorities, that rebels and jihadists are “ terrorists, without any distinction “.
Last March, an important military leader of the CSP decided to join the Jnim. A defector who highlighted both the difference and the porosity existing between rebel groups and jihadists.
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