Morocco World News/ Maghreb Intelligence
Morocco World News/ Maghreb Intelligence
Rabat, April 16, 2012
Nothing goes as it used to be between the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and the Algerian government. Since the declaration of independence by the Touaregs in the North of Mali, Algiers exercises considerable pressure, especially through the media, on Touareg separatists. In Algiers, The Intelligence Services and Security (DRS) has taken charge of the Malian issue for years. It’s under the advice of General Mohamed Medién, named “Tewfik”, the chief of the DRS, that Abdelaziz Boutflika’s government has chosen not to militarily intervene in the region.
Indeed, it would have been tactless to diplomatically intervene against a liberation movement while Algeria hosts on its territory for forty years now the Polisario Front, which is fighting against Morocco to gain the independence of the Sahara. Algeria has then to play it smart: destabilize the MNLA without being too hostile to the Azawadien separatists.
To do so, the DRS has pulled out of the hat an old acquaintance, the historic chief of the MNLA Iyad Ag Ghali, who under the advice of the Algerian authority laid down his arms before being appointed, in 2007, vice-consul of Mali in Saudi Arabia. It’s in this country that Iyad Ag Ghali would exert his efforts and become a Salafist under the influence of a Pakistani preacher. Upon returning from Saudi Arabia, Iyad Ag Ghali disappeared from circulation for a while. He lends his services to a lot of states in the region, but never breaks his ties with the DRS. With the fall of Mouamar Qaddafi and the return of thousands of Touaregs fighters to Libya, Iyad Ag Ghali suddenly resurfaced at the head of the Salafist legion made of 1000 fighters, particularly well equipped, well trained and knowledgeable, and which holds the name of “Ansar Addine.”
In the north of Mali, when things are stable, he follows the rebels of the MNLA in which he puts pressure in every fight against the loyalist Malian forces. In Kidal, his men – updated by Algerian Intelligence Services – lead a ferocious battle against the Malian garrison. In Timbuktu, while the MNLA positions itself at the airport, “Ansar Dine” is in the center of the city and hoist the Islamist version of the Malian flag. Soon after, Iyad Ag Ghali made a declaration in which he explained in detail the aims of his movement, especially to have a unified Mali that applies Sharia. It distinguishes itself from the MNLA and its separatist agenda.
In Paris, informed observers notice that Iyad Ag Ghali was hospitalized in Ain Naadja in Algeria a few weeks ago. An unpleasant coincidence which reinforces the doubts about the relationship between “Ansar Dine” and the Algerian DRS. According to an official of the DGSE, the Algerian salafist and Sahel groups are hugely infiltrated by the Algerian services and this has been the case for years already. Algiers will highly benefit from the presence of Iyad Ag Ghali in the north of Mali.
It thus proves that the MNLA is incapable of controlling Azawad and establishing a state. Furthermore, Algeria exerts supervision over three old acquaintances: Yahya Abu El Hemam, chief of the mysterious “Siyriat Al Forqan”, Mokhtar Belmokhtar (named Borgne or Mr. Malboro) and finally Abid Hammadou, named Abou Zied. It is a situation that Algeria likes and that enables it to maneuver freely in the region without having to intervene directly.
Translated by Jawad Maniani and edited by Benjamin Villantu
Morocco World News has exclusive partnership with Maghreb Intelligence and is the only entity allowed to publish its content in English. The English version of the story is © Morocco World News. This article can only be published as is with the link to Morocco World News, unless a written consent is given.
