UCDP

General information

Part of Conflict: Mali: Government

Date of first stated goals of incompatibility: 2011-12-10
Comment on date of first stated goal of incompatibility: MUJAO was created in late 2011 through a split in the Algerian rebel group AQIM (al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb). There are many theories regarding what caused the split. AQIM had since the early 2000s retreated to two strongholds, the Berber-inhabited Kabylia region in eastern Algeria and the Sahel region to the south, prompting a debate concerning the cohesion of the group. While by 2011 the Sahel-based AQIM faction had grown to include numerous fighters from other Sahel countries than Algeria, the leadership remained largely Algerian. This caused dissent within the group, and was one of the reasons given when MUJAO was launched. Another reason given was that AQIM had purportedly lost its devotion to jihad, instead focusing on its lucrative illicit business opportunities in the ineffectively controlled Sahel region. This reason appears doubtful, however, given that another version of the history behind the split was that it came about because of quarrels about sharing out the ransoms paid for the release of Western hostages. Another often cited possible explanation behind the split was that many of the non-Algerian fighters were dissatisfied that so much focus was placed on Algeria in terms of both strategic priority and military targeting; MUJAO instead propagated jihad in West Africa.

This last reason – the widening of the geographical focus of the group – is the one captured in UCDP data. On 10 December the group released a video in which they stated that “Today we are inaugurating jihad in West Africa”. They went on to say that they aimed to impose Sharia law throughout the whole region.

Date of first use of armed force: 2013-01-11
Comment on date of first use of armed force: In early January MUJAO’s allies, Ansar Dine, started moving south towards Bamako, seizing the important town of Konna on 10 January. While the Malian army subsequently received support from French troops, Ansar Dine was reinforced by both AQIM and MUJAO. On 11 January the government’s and France’s attempt to re-take the town commenced and fighting was fierce.
First Battle Related Death: 2013-01-11
Comment on First Battle Related Death: In early January MUJAO’s allies, Ansar Dine, started moving south towards Bamako, seizing the important town of Konna on 10 January. While the Malian army subsequently received support from French troops, Ansar Dine was reinforced by both AQIM and MUJAO. On 11 January the government’s and France’s attempt to re-take the town commenced and fighting was fierce. While most death tolls from the fighting in Konna cover events on 11 and 12 January, it is clear that at least some fatalities were incurred on the first day.

Date when dyad reached 25 battle releated deaths: 2013-01-12
Comment on date when dyad reached 25 battle related deaths: In early January MUJAO’s allies, Ansar Dine, started moving south towards Bamako, seizing the important town of Konna on 10 January. While the Malian army subsequently received support from French troops, Ansar Dine was reinforced by both AQIM and MUJAO. On 11 January the government’s and France’s attempt to re-take the town commenced and fighting was fierce. When the Islamists were eventually forced out on 12 January many people were dead and the death toll had crossed 25 for the first time.

Conflict issues

Conflict Goal Issues: Mouvement pour le Tawhîd et du Jihad en Afrique de l'Ouest, Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa, (MUJAO) was an Islamist rebel group fighting against the governments of Mali and Algeria. MUJAO emerged as a splinter group from AQIM in 2011, accusing AQIM of having lost its devotion to Jihad and, possibly, of having focused too much on Algeria. As MUJAO were active in both Algeria and Mali, the group’s statements were frequently coded as pertaining to both conflicts. During 2011, MUJAO stated two conflict goal issues, calling for the establishment of Sharia law “across the whole of west Africa”, and protecting the religious rights of west-African Muslims.

As the conflict progressed, protecting the religious rights of west-African Muslims was not explicitly reiterated as a conflict goal issue for MUJAO although it continuously emphasized its intentions to establish Sharia law in Mali. The group also began calling for the establishment of an Islamic state and for gender rights and freedom of expression to be restricted. In 2012, MUJAO also stated its intentions to oust the Malian government and accusing the government of Mali of corruption. Finally, in 2013, MUJAO expressed its opposition toward Malian national elections and stating that voting places would be targeted by Mujahideen attacks.

The main conflict goal issue of MUJAO was the establishment of Sharia law in west Africa and, particularly, in Mali. This issue was continuously stated throughout the conflict and heavily emphasized for all its active years.

Conflict Dynamics Issues: Whilst no conflict dynamics issues were pronounced by MUJAO in 2011, the group stated three issues in 2012. The group called for two prisoners connected to the movement to be released, implicitly accused the government of committing atrocities stating it needed to cease its unwarranted barbaric acts, and called for “jihadists all over the world to head to the Sahel region ‘to fight the international troops which are preparing to intervene in the region militarily’.” No issues were stated in following years, which is why no main conflict dynamics issue was attributed to MUJAO.

Conflict Resolution Issues: MUJAO stated no conflict resolution issues in the first year of conflict, but in 2012 the group stated its readiness to engage in negotiations with the government, although it stated it would rather negotiate with “Mali’s Higher Islamic Council (HIC) on behalf of the government.” Later in the year, however, MUJAO changed its position stating that “there is no negotiation to be had” as the group did not recognize the Malian government.

Type of conflict issues: Conflict Goal Issues: Change judicial system, Corruption, CPS: Islamic state, Opposition to elections, Oust full executive, Religious rights, Restriction of gender rights, Restrictions on freedom of expression

Conflict Dynamics Issues: Atrocities and abuses, DFI: Removal of foreign influence, IFI: Support from diasporas/foreign fighters, Release of prisoners

Conflict Resolution Issues: Call for negotiations, Opposition to negotiations, Structure of negotiations