The current crisis along the Malian-Algerian border is being overshadowed by questionable elections and other events occurring across Africa, but the worsening situation needs to be more closely monitored.
The region in question, along with parts of Chad and Niger, is home to the Tuareg people. They are a people with a rich history of music that has lasted for countless generations—they have generally moved across the region by the way of camelback without any major difficulty.
In the last few years, however, tensions have risen between the Tuaregs and the governments of Niger and Chad. There have been reports that the mining industry in Northern Niger has come under threats of attack from the Tuaregs; there have been attacks against the armed forces of these nations as well. In recent weeks groups of Tuareg rebels have launched two raids against the Malian military capturing dozens of soldiers.
There have been reports that forces loyal to Al-Qaida are in the region and it is believed the group that kidnapped Austrian tourists recently in Tunisia is hiding out in the same area. Western intelligence services and special forces units have a keen interest in the region as well. There have been reports that forces loyal to Al-Qaida are in the region and it is believed the group that kidnapped Austrian tourists recently in Tunisia is hiding out in the same area. It is also rumored that the terror group has cemented ties with some Tuareg people in the region.
Reports are also surfacing that talks will be held in Tripoli in early April. The Malian government will be sending one delegation and forces loyal to Tribal Chief Ag Bahanga will lead the other delegation. This is not the first time that Libya has mediated a dispute between the Taureg and a Government. In the 1980s, they were involved in the talks that the Tuaregs had with the Government of Niger.The Government of Mali has asked for international assistance to rein in the rebel forces that have been a major part of the problem as well. Currently the U.S. has a program called the Trans-Sahara Counter-Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP). The project has U.S. soldiers training armed forces in the region to confront insurgencies; Mali has been used as a key training ground since the project was initiated. It should be noted that the government of Mali has not directly asked for military aid yet.
Tensions in this particular region have been simmering for some time. Several states have had autocratic governments in the past that have histories of repression. Most people outside of Africa have never even heard of the Tuareg people or the countries in question due to the other concerns in Africa that international media seems to be favoring. But will the volatile situation change in the near future?
Scott A. Morgan publishes Confused Eagle on found at morganrights.tripod.com
Comments
TCN commented, on March 31, 2008 at 12:51 p.m.:
Are you reporting on verifiable information, or simply spreading "rumors"? Truth in reporting requires verifiable sources, and your article is based on "rumors" without sources. You should do your research before spreading gossip and untruths that are damaging to a people. You have generalized on "the Tuaregs" and attributed false, damaging attributes to an entire population. Your words are racist and prejudiced. Is that what you have learned in journalism classes? This article is ethnocentric, based on hearsay that is unfounded. Your article is libellous and hurtful to innocent people. You should be ashamed of yourself, and your university should think carefully about allowing you to publish such trash.
Politics Editor commented, on March 31, 2008 at 3:53 p.m.:
TCN,
The article is in no way spreading "rumors" as you claim. If you want a few facts that back his article, here they are:
"The Tuareg are motivated to fight al-Qaida in order to defend their territory. At the beginning of this month an AQIM cell was dismantled in the area and a big fish (Abu Osama) was caught, allegedly thanks to information provided by some Tuareg tribal leaders."
- Oliver Guitta, Middle East Times
"There are many rebel groups [some Tuaregs included] in that part of Africa. Some of them are supposed to have very strong links with al-Qaida, and there is lots of arms trafficking, many traffics in that part of the region."
- Nico Colombant, Voice of America
"In the most recent incident, ethnic Tuareg rebels took about 30 troops hostage last week. The attack occurred in the same lawless cross-border region where reports have suggested two Austrian tourists are being held since being kidnapped by Islamic militants last month while on vacation in Tunisia."
- The Associated Press, reported in the International Herald Tribune
-----
In no way did Mr. Morgan claim that ALL Tuaregs are Islamic extremists nor did he generalize about the group. How did he spread racism or prejudice on any level?
He simply pointed out the fact that SOME Tuaregs are, according to many reliable sources, being used as cover by and on some level working with al-Qaida. The key point of the article is that other happenings in Africa have led to minimal coverage from international media.
Nelson Cronyn commented, on March 31, 2008 at 4:38 p.m.:
I lived with Tuaregs for eight years, and remain in close contact with my Tuareg "family" in Niger. It is unfortunate that these people, the most pro-American and moderate Moslems in the Sahara, are becoming viewed as violent Islamic extremists due to the actions of a few well-armed rebel/bandit groups (some with little to no Tuareg involvement) that may have connections to AQIM.
The on-again, off-again Tuareg rebellions in Niger and Mali, as well as hostage-taking for ransoms, pre-date Al-Quaida and have nothing to do with Islamic fundamentalism. The Tuareg have been marginalized by all of the Sahelian/Saharan governments, and are struggling mightily to maintain their traditional existence despite enormous challenges, ranging from climate change to the neglect of governments and development agencies. It would be in the best interest of the U.S. to reach out to the Tuareg via diplomacy and development assistance. Without substantive efforts on the part of the U.S. to form alliances with the Tuareg community across the Sahel/Sahara, it is likely that AQIM, through coercion and well-placed gifts, will gain the hearts and minds of these natural allies of the U.S.
You mention tensions "between the Tuaregs and the governments of Niger and Chad". I think you meant Mali, not Chad - there are virtually no Tuaregs in Chad and the Chadian Sahara is dominated by the Toubou and Gorane who tend not to get along with the Tuareg.
TCN commented, on March 31, 2008 at 9:21 p.m.:
I, too, have lived with Tuaregs in Niger for four years, and know them well. The Sahara is quite vast and there are a variety of armed groups, but the ones linked to Al-Qaida are of Arab origin. The Tuareg-led rebel groups are fighting against the marginalization of their people. Their struggle is not related to Islam, and they are not linked to Al-Qaida in any way. It is unfortunate that some Americans have confused the Tuaregs with the Arabs because they wear turbans, ride camels, and are Muslim. Other than that, Tuaregs and Arabs have many cultural differences, and very different cultural values and practices. The Al-Qaida linked groups have Arab origins and are religion-based. Tuaregs are Berber-speaking, moderate Muslims with Berber customs. As the above writer stated, the Tuaregs are the most moderate Muslims in the Sahara, and the Tuareg-led rebellions in Mali and Niger have nothing to do with Al-Qaida or extremism. Americans who are not familiar with peoples of the Sahara, and the enormous differences between Arabs and Berber-speakers (as well as the animosity between many Arabs and Berber-speakers), often lump the two groups together. Some Americans have assumed that because Tuaregs live in the Sahara, they would somehow be in cohoots with terrorists or lured by them. This notion is pure speculation, and anyone who suggests such is not basing it on any solid evidence, because there simply isn't any. Just because some poorly-informed American has rumored or suggested it does not mean that it has any basis. Both the Malian and the Nigerian Tuareg rebels groups have publicly stated, to reporters and in published interviews, that they are in no way linked to extremist groups, and that they would defend their territories against such groups. It is unfortunate that uninformed, confused Americans have chosen to cast the Tuareg people as extremists, when they are not. This is damaging to a population that is having difficulty maintaining their livelihood and way of life right now, due to the neglect of governments and development agencies, as the above author noted. I agree with the above writer that the U.S. should seek to reach out to the Tuareg people through diplomacy and development, since the Tuaregs are a valuable asset in the fight against terrorism. This has been suggested by others, as well. I do not think it is likely that the Tuaregs would be "bought" by gifts from Islamic radicals. They are a highly intelligent people who want to be included as equal citizens, within an inclusive, democratic government within their own country. It is also true that the Tuaregs are very pro-American and have great hopes for American development projects and help with developing democratic governance in Niger and Mali. The Tuaregs are America's natural allies in the Sahara. They support democracy, freedom, and equality, and they are against Muslim extremism.
Politics Editor commented, on March 31, 2008 at 10:07 p.m.:
TCN,
I understand your disagreement with the author's description of the Tuaregs, feel free to contact me if you would like to write an article to be posted on the site that details your stance rather than just leaving your opinions in a lengthy comment. I don't claim to be an expert in African affairs, and I would like to think that someone who has lived in Saharan Africa would have greater insight on the issue than myself.
I assure you, you have sorely misread my opinions and beliefs regarding the Tuaregs, Africans and Muslims.
You can reach me at politics@tnjn.com if you are interested in writing or contributing to an article, or if you would like to go into more depth with this conversation.
- Austin Baird
Jack commented, on March 31, 2008 at 11:01 p.m.:
I always thought that the reason people didn't write about Africa was because there was a general disinterest in the subject. Maybe people tried and gave up after meeting up with people like TCN who are quick to call you a liar and a racist if disagree with them. Most college web sites are more about campus life issues and not about substance. This web site is doing a good job of going beyond what a typical college is printing. TCN, cut them off at the knees again and the next story might be on Brittany's rehab or who got voted off of American Idol. You don't have to agree but you don't have to call kids that you don't know racists or say they are prejudiced.
NC commented, on April 1, 2008 at 1:50 p.m.:
TCN -
You're absolutely right that the Tuareg would not be "bought" by Islamic radicals. I retract my comment about the possibility of AQIM winning Tuareg hearts and minds - the Tuareg are far too intelligent, pragmatic, and savvy to become extremists.
Jack - This is a discussion, and TCN's comments about the article struck me as pretty civil given the magnitude of the consequences associated with linking Tuareg's to AQIM and the lack of depth in the article. The main problem with this piece is in the headline, which implies that Tuaregs are providing cover for Islamic extremists - a question that is not answered or followed in the body of the article. If this line of thought (i.e. that Tuaregs are supporting/covering for AQIM) were to gain traction in the DOD and/or State Department, much less the governments of Niger, Mali, and Algeria, the Tuareg would suffer severe consequences due to unfounded rumors.
Jack commented, on April 1, 2008 at 6:59 p.m.:
If the DOD and/or State Department gets their intelligence reports from college newspapers then God help us all.
jmw556 commented, on April 1, 2008 at 9:39 p.m.:
I think the main issue with this article isn't the subject but rather the actual construction. I am pleased to see someone taking an interest in the Tuareg, however the article doesn't seem to convey what you intended.
The title does indeed imply that the Tuareg are providing cover for Islamic extremists, which is probably why TCN accused you of spreading rumors. None of the "facts" that back the article seem to suggest this in any way.
It is a shame you didn't include a more thorough background of the conflicts in Niger and Mali. In your article you lump them together, but although they are similar in nature they are in fact two separate conflicts.
I ran out of space! comment continued below...
jmw556 commented, on April 1, 2008 at 9:39 p.m.:
I was also very surprised to see that you hadn't included any information or reference at all to the Mouvement des Nigeriens pour la Justice (MNJ), the group leading the rebellion in Niger. You mention that there have been attacks on the both military bases and the uranium mining industry in Niger, but you fail to mention the purpose behind these attacks. You also failed to mention the numerous accusations by human rights watch dogs against the Nigerien government concerning human rights abuses such as torture, extra judiciary executions, arbitrary arrests and a ban on all journalism in the north (which has a lot to do with why the conflict isn't hardly getting any media attention).
I'm sure you did not intend to write a biased article (what journalist does?), unfortunately failing to explore both sides of the conflict has painted the Tuareg as the "bad guys," which is not necessarily true. I suggest you take a look at the MNJs blog (www.m-n-j.blogspot.com) so that you can read up on their side of the story.
Finally, the quote that you site from the AP seems a bit confusing. There are some pretty big differences between the Tuareg and the Islamic militants, and just because they happen to be in the same geographical location does not mean there is enough evidence to link or even compare their two actions.
1. The tuareg are holding military troops hostage
while the militants are holding innocent civilians,
2. The MNJ has promised on their website to treat
their prisoners of war in accordance with
international law, and have since released several
prisoners to the international red cross for medical
treatment. I don't believe the same can be said for
the Islamic militants.
Please don't let these comments get you down, I really do appreciate your interest in the Tuareg and I hope that you will continue to do more research on the subject and perhaps try writing another piece that explores the situation in more depth. If you'd like to discuss the conflict or any of my comments or if you'd like a list of further resources you can email me at jmw556@gmail.com
A few tips for the future:
1. proof read, proof read, proof read! (Tuareg is spelled two different ways in this article...you need to be consistent!)
2. try setting up your facts for each "side" in a parallel chart to make sure that you are writing an unbiased piece. If you have a whole lot of research on one side but not much on the other you'll know what you need to investigate more thoroughly.
3. try not to rely so heavily on previous opinions from other articles. Use them as a jumping off point, then fish out some primary sources and come to your own conclusions. If you do use their opinions consider including a quote or two (that could have saved you from some of TCNs heat)
best of luck in the future!
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