Ethnic tensions will drive Mali conflict

Subject

Mali ethnic composition.

Significance

The government announced on July 20 that it would again postpone the deployment of local administrators in the northern town of Kidal, the bastion of the Ifoghas Tuareg clan confederation. The deployment of local administrators is part of the 2015 Algiers peace agreement but Tuareg and Arabs resist the move, particularly in Kidal and Taoudeni.

Impacts

• Differences between the Bambara, Fulani and Tuareg ethnic groups will sustain conflict in north and central Mali.
• Reconciling the diverse interests of groups in northern and central Mali will take time, concerted efforts and significant resources.
• Some Tuareg, Arab and Fulani communities are likely to maintain support for jihadists.