Islamists declare north Mali an independent state governed by sharia

“We are all in favour of the independence of Azawad … We all accept
Islam as the religion,” they said, adding that Islam would also be the
main source of law.

In Gao, a major town in the north where leaders of the two movements have been
holding talks, the sealing of the deal was greeted by the sound of guns
being fired into the air.

The rebel army is made up largely of Tuaregs, Saharan tribespeople who have
been battling for independence from southern Mali since the nation’s
independence from France in 1960.

Malian mercenaries returning from Libya after the death of Col Gaddafi
strengthened the MNLA’s leadership, swelled its infantry ranks and boosted
its arsenal.

The rebels’ lightning advance across Mali’s north was launched as
middle-ranking officers from the national army staged a coup in Bamako on
March 22, creating chaos in the capital, far to the south.

Islamist fighters, grouped together as Ansar Dine, which has links to al-Qaeda
in the Islamic Maghreb, then took the chance of the power vacuum also to
seize territory.

The country’s interim administration immediately rejected the independence
declaration.

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Leave a Reply

Powered by WordPress | Designed by: Premium WordPress Themes | Thanks to Themes Gallery, Bromoney and Wordpress Themes