SUMMARY

Ganda Iso was an ethnic militia group from the Gao and Mopti areas of Mali that formed in 2009. Initially, it emerged as a self-defense force to defend against attacks, maintain social stability in the region and recover territory that had been lost to mainly Tuareg but also jihadist armed groups seeking to gain control over northern Mali (for more information, see Ganda Iso – CMA). In 2012, Ganda Iso continued to pursue these objectives by joining a pro-national unity coalition, CM-FPR. Therefore, Ganda Iso is included in the UCDP data under CM-FPR from 21 July 2012.

The Ganda Iso training camps were located in Mopti, situated in the central region of Mali and recruitment occurred in the surrounding areas of Sévaré nearby. Although it remained unknown how many fighters the group had, most Ganda Iso recruits were young men from the ethnic Songhai group. Some sources also reported that Ganda Iso had a close relationship with the Peul (otherwise known as Fulani) and drew recruits from this ethnic group too.

Leadership of the Ganda Iso was disputed; several reports and statements from the group contradict each other or renounce the status and origins of notable members associated with the group. Nonetheless, Seydou Cissé was the main founder and prominent leader of Ganda Iso. Cissé had previously been a leader for the Ganda Koy militia group that formed in the 1990s but he left and established Ganda Iso after the infiltration of Ganda Koy by members of the Malian authorities. Ahmadou Diallo established Ganda Iso along with Cissé and served as its military commander. However, after Diallo led fighters in a daylight attack on the village of Houraro that resulted in civilians being killed, Cissé declared that Diallo was no longer part of Ganda Iso in 2010. Ibrahim Abba Kantao served as the President of Ganda Iso.