STATE OF AZAWAD
For those who do not know Azawad, it is a land that has resisted and continues to resist Malian occupation and foreign domination.
French colonialism came and after colonialization they annexed the land of Azawad to what is now called Mali. Mali is a country created by French colonialism and was part of French Sudan. But the people of Azawad have a history. Their ancestors lived on this land since time immemorial.
Azawad is a word of Tuareg origin, also used by Arabic speakers, which literally means “the territory of transhumance” or “the land of transhumance” and which comes from the Tuareg word Azawagh. The Tuareg and Arabic term roughly corresponds to the French notion of “pasture”. Since 1990 and the use of this word to designate the northern regions of Mali, the inhabitants can be called Azawadis (feminine Azawadies) but we sometimes find Azawadiens and Azawadiennes. In Tifinagh, the traditional and historical Berber alphabet, “Azawad” is written “ⴰⵣⴰⵓⴷ” or “ⴰⵣⵓⴷ””
The part that is called Azawad is the northern part, with borders with Mauritania, Algeria, Libya, Niger and Burkina Faso. The Azawadian people was thus attached against their will to another people with whom they share nothing.
Since that day, they have been marginalized and oppressed by Mali, and today Mali is also using Russian mercenaries and Turkish drones in its genocide against the Azawadian people who wants to live in peace on their ancestral land with the same freedom and right to self-determination as any other people. The Malian governments have always oppressed them and brought only death.
The Azawadian people are still fighting to recover their land and gain their rightful independence from Mali. These things can be heard in many songs of the world-famous desert blues music, led by the founders of this musical genre, the group Tinariwen (which means “many deserts”).
They have always fought for Azawad, both with weapons and guitars. All their songs talk about the life of the Tuaregs, their suffering and their struggle for a free Azawad. Another band that talks a lot about these things in their songs is Tamikrest, one of the best desert blues bands today. Tinariwen and Tamikrest both have their songs called “Azawad”. And there are others, another well-known classic example is “Azawad” by Kel Assouf from Niger.
The oppression of the people of Azawad changed when the Malian putschist government called on the Russian criminal and terrorist group Wagner (slowly being replaced by the Africa Corps), but it’s the same thing, the same evil, the same agenda to kill, loot and burn people and steal the recources of the land. We are talking about innocent and poor civilians. They also use Turkish drones to kill people and animals.
This forced attachment to a foreign country and the oppression and genocide performed by the governement of that country, is the reason for all the Tuareg rebellions over the years, the latest one taking place since the fall of 2023. And they have the right, Azawad is truly a just cause. What we are seeing today since the fall of 2023 is not really a rebellion, it is a revolution.
But one must not forget that the ongoing revolution is not just a current struggle, it is the same old history on repeat since the 60s. An ongoing struggle for freedom and dignity of Azawad as long as injustice persists. It will not stop until justice is done.
Colonial map before Mali was created by France, and modern map of Azawad.
THE FLAG OF AZAWAD
The historical flag of MNLA of Azawad with the colors black/red/green and yellow is the flag that made the cause of Azawad famous. With the creation of the FLA, a new flag was created for the purpose of unity, in a similar style but with colors blue, yellow, red and white.
THE FLAG OF MNLA
What has been said about this flag: The flag of Azawad is the banner of freedom and dignity colored with the blood of martyrs. The flag of Azawad is actually very special in that it represents such a fight for freedom. And this is the flag that lives in the hearts of the people.
THE FLAG OF THE FLA
The new flag that was decided upon when the FLA was formed. This is the new flag of the FLA (Front Liberation Azawad) that represents unity and it already has its martyrs. It got its first martyrs already on the day after the FLA was created. Obviously the putschist authorities of Mali feel threatened by this Touareg unity, otherwise they would have just left them in peace instead of sending cowardly drone attacks on them.
Azawad Support Group
Photo of the sunset over Azawad on the top: Lahcen Ag Touhami.
“Azawad for them is a terrorist, separatist and rebel issue, but for me it is my people, my land, my pride and my dignity.
I am the master of peace, I only fight those who trample on the dignity of my people.”
Kadaw Hussein
“Alone in the Diaspora”
From the book Azawad; The Tormented of the Desert.
26-10-24
AZAWAD
Geographical Location:
Azawad is located in the heart of the Sahara Desert, extending from southern Algeria to Mali and Niger, forming a crucial link between North and West Africa. Its desert routes have historically facilitated trade, connecting African markets with the wider world through trans-Saharan caravans.
History and Culture:
Azawad has been home to a continuous civilization for over 12,000 years, where its people developed a self-sustaining way of life based on nomadism, herding, and trading salt and wool, alongside traditional crafts that defined their identity. Caravans played a crucial role in transporting goods between Timbuktu, Gao, and Agadez, making Azawad a vital economic and cultural hub. Despite colonialism and attempts at domination, the people of Azawad preserved their culture, language, and identity.
Economy and Livelihood:
The livelihood of the people of Azawad is based on an integrated system of activities, including: Salt trade: One of the oldest and most significant economic activities, where camel caravans transport salt blocks from the Taoudenni mines to major markets.
Herding and wool: Life revolves around breeding camels and goats, with goat wool used for tents and traditional garments, making it a fundamental resource.
Handicrafts: Including leatherwork, silver jewelry, saddles, and travel gear, passed down through generations.
Traditional industries: Such as wood carving, metal toolmaking, and handwoven carpets.
Linguistic Identity:
The book about tifinagh by Inkinane Ag Attaher.
The language of Azawad’s people is “Tamasheq,” a branch of the Berber language family, written in the ancient Tifinagh script. It is not just a means of communication but a symbol of identity, history, and resilience, embodying the spirit of cultural preservation.
Personal Skills and Arts:
The people of Azawad are skilled in various traditional crafts that require precision and patience, including:
Weaving and traditional clothing: Such as the distinctive blue turban of the Tuareg, dyed with indigo.
Saddle-making and travel equipment: A heritage craft essential for caravan expeditions.
Poetry and music: Oral poetry known as “Tinsley” and desert music played on instruments like the “Imzad” and traditional guitar.
Struggle and Resilience:
The Amazigh people of Azawad have faced attempts to erase their culture and identity, from French colonialism to modern political suppression. Despite this, they remained steadfast, rising multiple times to demand their rightful freedoms. Their struggle is not only political but also cultural and educational, ensuring their language and true history are passed on to future generations.
Cultural Heritage and Future:
Azawad is not just a land but a symbol of an enduring civilization. Its people strive for recognition and a future that secures their identity and culture through education, preservation of traditional industries, and documentation of their history for generations to come.
Azawad stands on its own, and history bears witness.
Azawad Freedom Voice
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