Tuareg nationalism will be limited to Mali

Subject

Tuareg in the Sahel.

Significance

The Tuareg, a historically pastoralist group estimated to number between 2.0 and 3.5 million, are found throughout Saharan and Sahelian regions of Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. Tuareg insurgency has been most visible in northern Mali, but the 2015 Algiers Accord to which the government and signatory armed groups re-committed in October last year has resulted in a fragile peace.

Impacts

• The northern Mali rebellion will continue its domino effect on inter-communal stability in other parts of Mali and in Burkina Faso.
• Environmental pressures will mean increased risk of conflict between pastoralist -- often Tuareg -- herders and sedentary farmers.
• Following the Tuareg example, other ethnic and tribal groups in the Sahel will agitate for greater power.