Algeria-Mali détente will not end armed struggle, says militia chief
The recent diplomatic rapprochement between Algeria and Mali should help reduce bilateral tensions. However, it will not bring an end to the ongoing conflict between Azawad movements and the Malian authorities, Le Matin d’Algerie reports on August 11.
That is the assessment of Saïd Benbella, made public in an interview with Al Araby Al Jadeed. Benbella serves as a leader of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), which functions as a Tuareg separatist militia in the Sahel region. During the interview, he questioned whether Bamako is genuinely committed to finding a true political solution in northern Mali.
The two nations faced a fifteen-month diplomatic crisis. After this period, Algeria and Mali initiated a normalisation process, starting in July. This thaw included the resumption of direct flights and the return of ambassadors. It also involved the re-establishment of high-level political contacts. Notably, Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb invited his Malian counterpart, Abdoulaye Maïga, to visit Algiers.
Despite these developments, Benbella offers a warning. He argues that normalisation fails to address the root conflict, which is much older. Tensions between Bamako and Azawad groups have recurred over decades. They even happened during periods when relations between Algiers and Bamako were exceptionally close.
Benbella also shared his views on why Bamako chose to reengage. He believes military setbacks drove the change. The Malian government and its Russian allies faced losses on the ground in Azawad. These struggles forced Bamako to reconsider its stance toward Algeria.
The FLA leader claims Bamako’s primary goal is to curtail Algerian backing for Azawad movements. Because of this, he believes that the strategy shows a lack of interest in a fair peace. The 2015 Algiers Peace Accord previously collapsed, deepening these doubts.
Benbella directed a message straight to Algiers. He urged the Algerian government to act. He asked Algiers not to let normalisation with Bamako overshadow the Azawad cause. He described the people of Azawad as Algeria’s closest brotherly neighbours. He also referred to them as its strategic southern belt. This dynamic leaves Algiers in a delicate position.
Le Matin d’Algérie, Al Araby Al Jadid, maghrebi.org.
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