Malian Government Condemns Algeria's Role in Terrorism Spread

The Malian government has issued a strong official statement condemning Algeria's harmful role in the spread of jihadist terrorism in the Sahel region. The statement underscores that the primary armed group operating in the area, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), originated from the Algerian terrorist organization, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), which wreaked havoc in Algeria during the civil war known as the "Black Decade" (1991-2002). This conflict resulted in over 250,000 casualties among security forces, armed Islamist groups, and civilians.

Algeria's Responsibility in Sahel Security Deterioration

Mali emphasizes that Algeria bears significant responsibility for the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel, having allowed the GSPC to establish itself in the Sahara. In 2007, the group rebranded itself as AQIM after pledging allegiance to Al-Qaeda. Mali accuses Algeria of failing to cooperate with neighboring countries to combat this menace, retreating into isolation by merely securing its borders instead of engaging in regional and international efforts against terrorism. Mali criticizes Algeria for abandoning other nations to face relentless terrorist attacks alone.

https://x.com/ChawkiBenzehra/status/1828494636668821877

Negative Influence on Malian Crisis

Mali also points to Algeria's detrimental influence on the crisis within its borders, alleging that Algeria supported the Tuareg rebels of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), who initiated a rebellion in 2012. This rebellion created a security vacuum that jihadists exploited. The Malian government denounces Algeria's ambiguous role in the peace process, accusing it of favoring armed groups aligned with its interests, undermining Mali's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Mali expresses regret over Algeria's failure to play a constructive and impartial role in resolving the conflict and its obstruction of international community efforts.

Call for Algerian Accountability

Mali urges Algerian authorities to acknowledge their share of responsibility for the chaos in the Sahel and to engage more actively in the fight against terrorism in collaboration with regional countries and the international community. The Malian government believes that the NATO intervention in Libya in 2011, which contributed to the proliferation of arms and fighters in the Sahel, is not the sole cause of the terrorist threat. Instead, it points to the establishment of the GSPC in the Sahara as the starting point for international terrorism in the region.

Frustration with Algeria's Stance

Mali expresses frustration with Algeria's stance, viewing it as a breeding ground for terrorism in the Sahel, and calls for Algeria to assume its responsibilities and change its policies. Mali reaffirms its commitment to restoring peace and stability in the country and the region, with support from its partners, particularly France, which has been militarily involved in Mali since 2013 as part of Operation Barkhane.

Evidence of Algeria's Alleged Support for Terrorism

The allegations of Algeria's support for terrorism in the Sahel are not merely claims from Mali or Morocco; they are supported by authentic American official documents revealed by WikiLeaks. A 2013 diplomatic cable from Sidney Blumenthal, a former senior advisor to President Bill Clinton, explicitly accused Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of entering into a secret agreement with AQIM leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar. This agreement, reportedly established shortly after a terrorist attack on the Algerian consulate in Gao, aimed to create a non-aggression pact between Algeria and terrorist groups, ensuring that Algeria and its interests would not be targeted. In exchange, Algeria required these groups to focus their attacks solely on northern Mali and Moroccan Sahara. This agreement highlights Algeria's duplicity, claiming to combat terrorism while allegedly nurturing and protecting it.

Conclusion

The Malian government's strong condemnation of Algeria reflects deep-seated tensions in the region, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to combat terrorism and restore stability in the Sahel.