Nomadefolket tuaregerne har kæmpet i årtier for at blive herrer i eget hus og har nu udråbt deres egen nation, som omfatter ca. halvdelen af det kæmpemæssige ørkenland, Mali i Vestafrika – her en kronologi over Malis nyere historie.
DAKAR, 5 April 2012 (IRIN): After decades of failed Tuareg secessionist rebellions (løsrivelses-oprør), a separatist group, the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) has declared an end to military operations in northern Mali, having achieved their objective: military control of the three regions of Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu, which will form a new state.
A separate Islamist group, Ansar Dine, which has different objectives from the MNLA and seeks to impose Sharia law in Mali, also took part in the fight and claims to have wrested control of Timbuktu from the MNLA – high tensions are reported between the two groups.
Below is a chronology of key events.
French colonial occupation of northern Mali
July 1891: Colony of Soudan Français (French Sudan) created, including much of what is today Mali.
December 1893: French troops occupy Timbuktu but encounter strong resistance in the city and surroundings area.
1911: Revolt in Ménaka by KelAtaram people crushed by French military.
1913-14: Severe drought in northern regions aggravates poverty in Tuareg areas and fuels growing grievances.
1914-17: Rebellions against the French led by Firhoun – elected Supreme Chief, or Amenukal, of KelAtaram in Ménaka – and by Kawsanag Kedda, who led siege of Agadez in what is now northern Niger. Both revolts are put down by French with assistance of rival Tuareg confederations and Arabs. Rebels face severe reprisals.
The Alfellaga rebellion
Læs videre på
http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95252/MALI-A-timeline-of-northern-conflict
