Algiers Declaration

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Country/entity: Mali
Azawad
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Algiers Declaration
Date: 9 Jun 2014
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Tuareg Wars (1962 - )
Mali-Azawad
The nomadic Tuareg in the north of Mali maintained a long-standing revolt against a government traditionally dominated by southern politicians shortly after Mali became independent from France in 1960. The uprisings focused in and around the Azawad region, north of Timbuktu. After several outbreaks of violence during the 1980s, violence peaked with the 1990 outbreak of the Tuareg Rebellion. Following an initial defeat by the Malian Armed Forces, reparations by the government of Alpha Konare included the creation of the self-governing Kidal region. Violence in 1994 died down following peace between moderates on both sides in 1995 and a negotiated peace agreement. Violence continued due to a lack of integration by combatants, but it was not until 2011 that the situation again escalated in the aftermath of the Arab Spring and the disintegration of Libya, which resulted in a heavy inflow of small arms, and the increased involvement by Algeria. In January 2012, the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) together with several other groups took full control of the region. Disputes on how to handle the situation led to a military coup against President Touré in March 2012 that, in turn, resulted in further turmoil. The MNLA declared the independence of Azawad, but soon lost control of most of the territory to radical Islamist militias including Ansar Dine. A French intervention in January 2013 paved the way for a UN mission, which was established in April of that year. In June 2015 multiple declarations culminated in a final agreement between several Azawad-affiliated groups, including MNLA, and the government of Mali to end hostilities. However, inadequate implementation of the agreement results in continual armed confrontations between pro-government militias, Azawad-affiliated groups, dissidents of Azawad-affiliated groups, ethnically oriented groups, and increasingly since 2017, radical Islamist militias.

Niger-Aïr-Azawad
In 1990 the nomadic Tuareg in northern Niger explicitly sought greater political autonomy following decades of grievances on local political exclusion. With the first armed group Aïr and Azawad Liberation Front (FLAA) to be established in 1991, fighting between 1990 to 1995 took place largely in the Air Mountains. A short-lived truce was agreed in 1994 between the Niger Government and the Tuareg umbrella organisation Coordination of Armed Resistance (CRA), later called Organisation of Armed Resistance (ORA). Another accord was signed in April 1995 in Ouagadougou with various other Tuareg groups and some Toubou, the last signing in 1998. After ten years of relative peace, Movement of Nigeriens for Justice (MNJ) reinvigorated conflicts in 2007 following little follow up by the Nigeriene government on the signed peace agreements.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: Mali-Azawad Inter-Azawad peace process
Parties: (Signed) Bilal Ag Cherif
For the Mouvement national de libération de l’Azawad

(Signed) Alghabass Ag Intalla
For the Haut Conseil pour l’unité de l’Azawad

(Signed) Sidi Brahim Ould Sidatt
For the Mouvement arabe de l’Azawad
Third parties: -
Description: This is an agreement between three Azawadi movements to work together to advance the settlement negotiations. They agree to respect the ceasefire agreed on 23 May 2014, enter into sincere negotiations with the Government of Mali and to coordinate their actions.

Agreement document: ML_140609_AlgiersDeclaration.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
Page 1:
Desiring to enter into constructive negotiations with the Malian Government on a new and renewed form of governance that will:
1. Reflect in law and in fact the geographic, economic, social and cultural diversity of Mali and the specificity of the Azawad;
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): Page 1, Untitled preamble:
[…]
Reiterating their firm determination to ensure that the aspirations of the populations of the Azawad are realized, through dialogue and a respect for the commitments made under the previous peace agreements, which allowed the territorial integrity of Mali to be preserved;
[…]
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): Governance→Political institutions (new or reformed)→General references
Page 1:
[…]
Desiring to enter into constructive negotiations with the Malian Government on a new and renewed form of governance that will:
1. Reflect in law and in fact the geographic, economic, social and cultural diversity of Mali and the specificity of the Azawad;
2. More fully satisfy the legitimate aspirations of the populations of the Azawad, in terms of politics and institutions, the military and security situation, and economic, social and cultural affairs;
3. Take account of the situation as it exists at the moment, locally, nationally, subregionally, continentally and internationally; and
4. Be based on effective and internationally guaranteed follow-up and support mechanisms for the implementation of the commitments to be agreed;
[…]
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Page 2:
The movements have welcomed with deep appreciation the humanitarian aid offered by Algeria to assist the populations of the Azawad and have expressed the wish to receive further humanitarian aid in order to continue to meet their basic needs.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: Page 2:
The movements have welcomed with deep appreciation the humanitarian aid offered by Algeria to assist the populations of the Azawad and have expressed the wish to receive further humanitarian aid in order to continue to meet their basic needs.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
Page 1:
[…]
Desiring to enter into constructive negotiations with the Malian Government on a new and renewed form of governance that will:
1. Reflect in law and in fact the geographic, economic, social and cultural diversity of Mali and the specificity of the Azawad;
2. More fully satisfy the legitimate aspirations of the populations of the Azawad, in terms of politics and institutions, the military and security situation, and economic, social and cultural affairs;
[…]
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: Page 2:
The movements have welcomed with deep appreciation the humanitarian aid offered by Algeria to assist the populations of the Azawad and have expressed the wish to receive further humanitarian aid in order to continue to meet their basic needs.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: Land, property and environment→Cultural heritage→Promotion
Page 1, … Desiring to enter into constructive negotiations with the Malian Government on a new and renewed form of governance that will:
1. Reflect in law and in fact the geographic, economic, social and cultural diversity of Mali and the specificity of the Azawad;
2. More fully satisfy the legitimate aspirations of the populations of the Azawad, in terms of politics and institutions, the military and security situation, and economic, social and cultural affairs;
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 1, Untitled preamble:
[…]
Having studied in depth the political, security, humanitarian, economic, social and cultural situation in the Azawad/northern Mali, in the light of continuing developments;
Deeply concerned by the distress of the populations in the Azawad in the absence of a definitive settlement of the conflict whose effects they continue to endure;
Convinced that the tragic events which occurred in the area of Kidal on 17 and 21 May 2014 show that the efforts being made by the international community to stabilize the situation in Mali will be in vain so long as the root problem is not properly resolved, namely, by endorsing the legitimate aspirations of the populations of the Azawad;
Aware of the implications for the stability of Mali and the entire Sahel region if the current impasse continues, especially in view of the increasing involvement of international actors;
[…]
Desiring to enter into constructive negotiations with the Malian Government on a new and renewed form of governance that will:
1. Reflect in law and in fact the geographic, economic, social and cultural diversity of Mali and the specificity of the Azawad;
2. More fully satisfy the legitimate aspirations of the populations of the Azawad, in terms of politics and institutions, the military and security situation, and economic, social and cultural affairs;
[…]
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 2:
Bearing in mind their respective courses of action; Have agreed as follows:
1. To work in good faith to consolidate the ceasefire concluded on 23 May 2014;
[…]
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: [Summary: the agreement is between three movements of the Azawad/North Mali.]
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: Page 1, Untitled preamble:
[…]
Aware also that the settlement of the conflict is likely to advance the struggle against the scourge of terrorism and related activities which are always present in the region, and to facilitate their eradication;
[…]

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: UN DAG Repository:

http://repository.un.org/

Algiers Declaration

The representatives of the Mouvement national de libération de l’Azawad (MNLA), the Haut Conseil pour l’unité de l’Azawad (HCUA) and the Mouvement arabe de l’Azawad (MAA):

Having met in Algiers at the urging of Algeria in an attempt to align their views more closely in order to create the conditions for a successful negotiation with the Government of Mali;

Having studied in depth the political, security, humanitarian, economic, social and cultural situation in the Azawad/northern Mali, in the light of continuing developments;

Deeply concerned by the distress of the populations in the Azawad in the absence of a definitive settlement of the conflict whose effects they continue to endure;

Convinced that the tragic events which occurred in the area of Kidal on 17 and 21 May 2014 show that the efforts being made by the international community to stabilize the situation in Mali will be in vain so long as the root problem is not properly resolved, namely, by endorsing the legitimate aspirations of the populations of the Azawad;

Aware of the implications for the stability of Mali and the entire Sahel region if the current impasse continues, especially in view of the increasing involvement of international actors;

Aware also that the settlement of the conflict is likely to advance the struggle against the scourge of terrorism and related activities which are always present in the region, and to facilitate their eradication;

Convinced that the use of force has never fostered a lasting settlement of disputes;

Reiterating their firm determination to ensure that the aspirations of the populations of the Azawad are realized, through dialogue and a respect for the commitments made under the previous peace agreements, which allowed the territorial integrity of Mali to be preserved;

Desiring to enter into constructive negotiations with the Malian Government on a new and renewed form of governance that will:

1. Reflect in law and in fact the geographic, economic, social and cultural diversity of Mali and the specificity of the Azawad;

2. More fully satisfy the legitimate aspirations of the populations of the Azawad, in terms of politics and institutions, the military and security situation, and economic, social and cultural affairs;

3. Take account of the situation as it exists at the moment, locally, nationally, subregionally, continentally and internationally;

and

4. Be based on effective and internationally guaranteed follow-up and support mechanisms for the implementation of the commitments to be agreed;

Expressing the desire to unify their forces and promote inter-community harmony within all components of the society of the Azawad;

Affirming the pressing need to advance the settlement efforts which are under way;

and

Bearing in mind their respective courses of action;

Have agreed as follows:

1. To work in good faith to consolidate the ceasefire concluded on 23 May 2014;

2. To enter into sincere and credible negotiations with the Government of Mali under the aegis of an outside mediator, at a date and place to be determined as soon as possible by mutual agreement;

3. To coordinate any action they take in reaching a peaceful and definitive settlement with the Government of Mali, with the support of the international community;

4. To continue the consultations they have begun under the aegis of Algeria, within the framework of appropriate mechanisms meeting on a regular basis, with a view to completing the harmonization of their common negotiating positions before launching the dialogue with the Government of Mali.

The movements, acknowledging the credible and constructive role Algeria has played in the efforts to promote and find a definitive way out of the crisis, have conveyed to Algeria their full confidence in its continuing efforts to that end and in its increased involvement in the search for the long-sought definitive settlement of the conflict.

The movements have assured Algeria of their full cooperation and support in its mission, welcoming the contacts it has made in that connection with its partners and urging it to maintain those contacts and if need be modify them throughout the process.

The movements have welcomed with deep appreciation the humanitarian aid offered by Algeria to assist the populations of the Azawad and have expressed the wish to receive further humanitarian aid in order to continue to meet their basic needs.

The movements convey their thanks to the President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, His Excellency Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and to the Algerian people and Government, for the hospitality they have received during their stay in Algeria.

DONE at Algiers on 9 June 2014.

(Signed) Bilal Ag Cherif

For the Mouvement national de libération de l’Azawad

(Signed) Alghabass Ag Intalla

For the Haut Conseil pour l’unité de l’Azawad

(Signed) Sidi Brahim Ould Sidatt

For the Mouvement arabe de l’Azawad