The spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front, Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, stated on Monday 24 august, during a telephone interview with Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, – that the movement does not reject the idea of dialogue and peace in principle, but the current situation is a state of war, adding in this context:
“We are now in a stage where we cannot talk about peace and dialogue, the stage is a stage of war imposed on us and we are waging it,” adding: “We are in a war, we are not responsible for its beginning, and we are not responsible for tearing up the Algerian agreement for peace, the responsible party is the Bamako government and it is the one that bears the responsibility.”
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane
In other words – the root of the problem must be adressed and solved. That’s the only solution. This conflict remains a political problem which will only deepen until Azawad gets their legal demands for some sort of independence from Mali. Whether it`s greater autonomy, federalism or independence.
Without any response to the demands made since 1963 (or even 1958 when 300 Tuareg chiefs sent an appeal to France to not attach their territory to the new state Mali) there will never be peace in the Sahel. A real and honest resolution to the Azawad question is a must.
Secondly: The responsable for all the crimes and atrocities committed against innocent civilians in Azawad and Mali must be brought to justice.
Azawad Support Group
25-08-26