Mali: What will happen in Kidal?
Malian tuareg soldiers patrol in the streets of Gao on February 3, 2013. Malian tuareg troops are back in Gao after taking shelter with colonel Gamou in Niger during the islamist occupation of this northern Mali key city. AFP PHOTO / SIA KAMBOU (Photo credit should read SIA KAMBOU/AFP/Getty Images)
Ever since the FLA and the JNIM took control of the city of Kidal last April, the fate of its population has been uncertain. According to RFI, the Malian Army and Africa Corps captured a shepherd while killing approximately 200 sheep on the 17th of June. These actions from military and paramilitary groups constitute new challenges and threats in Mali, leading to increasing instability.
The army and Russian paramilitary organisations have left Kidal, but also the city of Tessalit in the same region. However, they remain in two military camps in the region, Aguelhoc and Anefis.
All armed groups have been preparing for what seems to be an inevitable conflict. No attacks have yet taken place, but the FLA has announced targeting the Anefis camp with drones, while the government-affiliated paramilitary group Africa Corps has captured the shepherd near the city.
As they were conducting their regular patrols around the military base 40 kilometres away, they attacked the shepherd and their flock. According to footage from the event, local sources, and the CD-DPA, the collective for the defence of rights of the people of North Mali and Azawad, the army is seeking to establish a security perimeter around the base.
On the 7th of June, about 20 kilometres away from the base, more than 80 cows, donkeys, and sheep were also killed by the paramilitary groups.
The FLA has announced targeting the military base, with images showing some damage, while no injuries or deaths have been reported.
Until the end of May, the Malian Army had struck the city of Kidal multiple times, an activity that has completely stopped, according to an FLA fighter.
According to The Arab Weekly, the JNIM and FLA are gaining traction across the civil population in some regions of Mali. As all actors are accused of war crimes and violence against the population, the terrorist groups have taken it upon themselves to show and appear increasingly tolerant.
Military successes such as the taking of Kidal and the killing of the Defence minister a few weeks ago show power to local populations, while their rhetoric has also softened, as they assume administrative roles and increase direct contact with local communities.
Experts claim the abuse of civilians by government troops has created an opportunity for terrorist groups to exploit.
RFI, The Arab Weekly, Maghrebi.org
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
