Solemn Declaration of Azawadian Refugees in Mauritania
M’berra Camp and Neighboring Sites – September 4, 2025
We, Azawadian refugees forced into exile in Mauritanian territory, make our collective and solemn voice heard today:
Categorical Rejection of So-Called Leaders Linked to Bamako
We do not recognize any individual or group claiming to be part of the Bamako regime. Those who seek to proclaim themselves “leaders” among us represent neither our suffering nor our hopes. Their sole mission is to serve the interests of a regime we consider criminal, oppressive, and genocidal.
Condemnation of the Malian Regime
The Bamako regime is responsible for massacres, systemic discrimination, and forced displacement that have driven us into exile. We refuse to allow it to extend its influence to our camps, in any form whatsoever.
Appeal to the International Community
In accordance with international humanitarian law and the fundamental principles of refugee protection, we call on:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to uphold the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, in particular Article 33, which prohibits refoulement and protects refugees from any threat.
The United Nations and the African Union to ensure the implementation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which enshrines the right of peoples to self-determination and the right to dignity.
International human rights organizations (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, FIDH, etc.) to investigate and intervene in the face of any attempt to exploit or exert pressure on our refugee communities.
Legitimate Demands of Azawadian Refugees
We reaffirm loud and clear:
Our right to protection and security in Mauritania, in accordance with the international commitments made by host and partner states.
Our right to dignity and peace of mind, already compromised by exile.
Our absolute rejection of any political manipulation aimed at forcibly attaching us to the Malian state.
Our message is clear:
* No agent, intermediary, or representative linked to Bamako will ever be recognized by Azawadian refugees.
* We demand effective international protection against any interference from the Malian regime.
* We call on the international community to assume its moral and legal responsibility to guarantee our security and fundamental rights.
Done in M’berra, September 4, 2025
Azawadian Refugees in Mauritanian Territory.
EXPLANATORY NOTE TO THE DECLARATION OF AZAWADIAN REFUGEES
M’berra Camp and Surrounding Sites – September 4, 2025
General Context:
For more than a decade, the populations of Azawad have suffered systematic violence, forced displacement, and persecution orchestrated by the Malian state. These violations have led tens of thousands of Azawadians to seek refuge in Mauritania, primarily in the M’berra camp, one of the largest refugee camps in the Sahel region.
Despite humanitarian assistance, Azawadian refugees continue to face:
A climate of insecurity and psychological pressure linked to the influence of the Bamako regime.
Repeated attempts to impose “leaders” manipulated by the Malian authorities to infiltrate and control the camp.
Restrictions on freedom of expression and movement.
Current Problem:
Azawadian refugees are experiencing an intensification of political pressure aimed at:
Delegitimizing their legitimate claims for protection.
Introducing pro-Bamako representatives into the camp, disregarding the refugees’ right to organize autonomously.
Reducing their status to a mere manipulable mass, rather than a community with rights guaranteed by international law.
These maneuvers create a climate of fear and seriously threaten the stability and peace of mind of the refugees.
Legal Basis:
The position of the Azawadian refugees is based on:
1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, in particular Article 33 (principle of non-refoulement) and Article 16 (access to justice and protection).
African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (1981), which guarantees the right of peoples to self-determination and protection against oppressive domination.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), which affirms the right to dignity, liberty, and security.
Our Specific Demands:
WE CALL ON THE UNHCR, THE UNITED NATIONS, THE AFRICAN UNION, AND HUMAN RIGHTS NGOs TO:
* Permanently separate Azawadian refugees from any political influence or manipulation emanating from the Malian state.
* Recognize our right to organizational autonomy within the camps, allowing us to freely appoint our representatives.
* Strengthen international protection in Mauritania through regular and independent monitoring of human rights in the camps.
* Guarantee freedom of expression and movement for Azawadian refugees, without fear of reprisals or political pressure.
* Establish a complaint and recourse mechanism accessible to refugees in the event of threats, intimidation, or violations of their rights.
CONCLUSION
Our community aspires to live in dignity and security, in accordance with universal human rights principles and international conventions. We reject any attempt at forced assimilation or manipulation by the Malian regime.
We call on the international community to act swiftly and concretely to ensure that our exile is not transformed into an open-air political prison.
Done in M’berra, September 4, 2025
Azawadian Refugees in Mauritanian Territory.
CALL FOR HELP – M`BERRA REFUGEE CAMP
M’berra, September 14, 2025
We, Azawadian refugees from the M’berra camp and surrounding sites, are sending a cry of alarm to the international community, humanitarian organizations, and human rights defenders.
Critical Situation
The M’berra camp is experiencing a dramatic situation:
Lack of livelihoods: The population lives in extreme poverty, without sufficient resources to ensure food, drinking water, and hygiene.
Lack of basic infrastructure: Health care is virtually nonexistent, and patients do not receive adequate treatment.
Health emergency: Several cases of diphtheria have recently been reported at health centers, with no measures in place to prevent its spread.
Obstruction of the Dignity and Rights of Refugees
The camp is being held hostage by a handful of unscrupulous individuals (notably Momo and his son Abdoul Aziz) who are taking advantage of the situation to:
Instigate fear and misery among the refugees,
Divert humanitarian aid intended for widows, orphans, and the elderly,
Collaborate with certain local networks to maintain silence in exchange for privileges.
These unjust and immoral practices exacerbate the suffering of a population already ravaged by exile and war.
OUR APPEAL
We demand:
* An independent international investigation into the management of the M’berra camp, to put an end to the diversion of humanitarian aid.
* Urgent intervention by humanitarian organizations to strengthen healthcare, particularly in response to reported cases of diphtheria.
* Protection of refugees from abuse of power, intimidation, and the confiscation of their fundamental rights.
* We refuse to allow these practices to continue to be silenced. The truth must triumph and justice must be served.
Signed:
The Azawadian refugees of the M’berra camp and surrounding sites
Comment by the Azawad Support Group – This declaration would not have been done unless the situation is really critical! Please read through this post, please take the time to do that. If anyone can help, please act! these refugees live under under severe oppression by those who serve their own interests!
Is it not enough that they have had to leave everything they had and risk their lives fleeing from the exactions of the genocidal Malian authorities and the Russian mercenaries who, as we all know do not spare any civilians in and from Azawad.
They are not fighting terrorists as they say, it´s people like these poor refugees that they are fighting.
In this image from a video, we see tanks burned by the jihadists of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) yesterday, September 14, 2025.
What’s even more striking is the voiceover in Bambara saying: “All this is the work of the rebels.”
What rebels? there’s no rebels there, this was done by jihadists. BIG difference! But the Malian government has apparently so confused people that many people today confuse terrorists with rebels or terrorists with separatists.
Thus making people believe that the Azawad freedom fighters and the Azawad civilian population as well, are all terrorists. In reality they only defend themselves against the Malian state oppression.
And this allows the Malian junta and Wagner to capitalize on this ignorance, to keep performing their genocide and kill innocent people, who, many end up in places like the MBerra refugee camp.
Where the oppression continues due to infiltration in the camp, as you can read in their own appeal shared above.
While the south and the center of Mali is burning, by the jihadists taking over, the Malian army and Wagner/Africa Corps, rather focus on the north, exterminating the civilian Arabo-Tuareg and Fulani population in Azawad.
Meaning – they brutally kill children, women and the elderly and sick, who all are defenseless. Those that manage to flee end up in refugee camps and they suffer.
Political pressure is put on the poor Azawadian refugees aiming at delegitimize their legitimate claims for protection.
They live under inhuman conditions already, they have nothing and they need help.
The Azawadian population is suffering a genocide!
Azawad Support Group
15-09-25
