Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad

The Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad (French: Cadre stratégique pour la défense du peuple de l'Azawad; CSP-DPA) is a coalition of political and military movements in northern Mali that was formed on May 6, 2021, as an alliance of the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) and Platform.[1] In September 2023, Platform left the CSP-PSD due to the CMA's war with the Malian government.[2] In April 2024, the CSP-DPA was renamed from the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security, and Development (French: Cadre stratégique permanent pour la paix, la sécurité et le développement; CSP-PSD).

Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad
LeadersPresident: Bilal Ag Acherif
Vice-President: Fahad Ag Almahmoud
Spokesperson: Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane
Dates of operationMay 6, 2021 – present
Group(s) Coordination of Azawad Movements
Platform (until September 2023)
Allies Mali (until 2023)
MINUSMA
Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (sometimes)
Opponents Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin
Islamic State in the Greater Sahara
Wagner Group
Mali (since 2023)
Battles and warsMali War

History

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Throughout the 2010s, there were brief clashes between the CMA and Platform, so the two groups began talks in late 2020 on reconciling their differences over the Algiers Agreement of 2015.[1] The CSP-PSD was created officially on May 6, 2021, after two days of discussion in Rome.[1] Their first provisional president was Bilal Ag Acherif, leader of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), vice-president Fahad Ag Al-Mahmoud, and their spokesperson was Moussa Ag Acharatoumane.[3]

On 12 December 2022, the CSP-PSD pulled out of peace talks with the Malian government, accusing the government of being unwilling to negotiate. The group stated that in order for them to return, new peace talks needed to be held in a neutral country.[4][5]

On 22 June 2023, the CSP-PSD lambasted the Malian government's threats pressuring the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to leave, claiming that the absence of MINUSMA without a "credible alternative would constitute a threat to security in Mali and the whole region."[6]

On 26 September 2023, Platform left the CSP-PSD[7] due to the CMA's attack on Malian government bases following Mali's collaboration with Wagner Group mercenaries and their war crimes against civilians.[2] [failed verification]

On 30 September 2023, the CMA claimed responsibility for an attack in Dioura, saying that they captured the military base there after two hours of fighting. Mali admitted that its base there had been attacked.[8] on 1 October 2023, the CMA claimed that they had seized the military base at Bamba.[9] On 20 December 2023, the CSP-PSD announced a blockade of all roads leading to the borders with Mauritania, Algeria, and Niger.[10]

In April 2024, the CSP-PSD became the Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad (CSP-DPA).[11] Between July 25-27, 2024, the CSP-DPA and JNIM engaged in a battle against Malian forces and Wagner Group mercenaries, reportedly killing, wounding, and capturing dozens, including at least three Wagner Group commanders.[12][13][14]

See also

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Mali War

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Mali: Les mouvements armés du nord créent le "Cadre stratégique permanent"". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  2. ^ a b Laplace, Manon (September 22, 2023). "Mali: Why northern rebels have taken up arms… again". The Africa Report.com. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  3. ^ "Communiqué conjoint de la CMA et de la Plateforme des Mouvements du 14 juin 2014 d'Alger – CSP" (in French). 2021-05-10. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  4. ^ "Mali: Armed groups pull out of peace talks". dw.com. Deutsche Welle. 2022-12-22. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  5. ^ "Mali: armed groups abandon peace talks". Atalayar. 2022-12-23. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  6. ^ "Mali rebels warn UN peacekeeping departure will kill peace deal". Reuters. 2023-06-22. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
  7. ^ "Mali: un groupe armé se dissocie de la reprise des hostilités au nord" [Mali: Armed group dissociates itself from resumption of hostilities in the north]. Africanews (in French). September 27, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  8. ^ "Mali: les rebelles du CSP attaquent et se retirent du camp militaire de Dioura". RFI (in French). 2023-09-29. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  9. ^ "Mali Tuareg rebels claim military base following clashes on Sunday". Reuters. 2023-10-01. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  10. ^ "Separatist Tuaregs Announce Blockade in Northern Mali". Voice of America. 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  11. ^ Baché, David (2024-04-25). "Mali: les rebelles du Nord créent le Cadre stratégique pour la défense du peuple de l'Azawad". Radio France International (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  12. ^ "Mali rebels say they killed and injured dozens of soldiers, Wagner mercenaries in fighting". Reuters. July 28, 2024.
  13. ^ "Rebels in Mali claim to have killed and injured dozens of soldiers, Russian mercenaries". The Kyiv Independent. 2024-07-28. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  14. ^ "Russia's Wagner group reports casualties in intense clash with Tuareg rebels in Mali". France 24. 2024-07-29. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
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