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2012 insurgency in northern Mali

Northern Mali conflict
Part of the Insurgency in the Maghreb (2002–present)
Northern Mali conflict.svg
Map showing the fullest extent of rebel-held territory in January 2013, before it was re-taken by Malian and French forces.
Date 16 January 2012 – present
(5 years, 4 months, 1 week and 6 days)
Location Northern Mali
Result

Ongoing

  • The Tuareg rebellion began driving government forces out of Northern Mali in January 2012
  • Malian president Amadou Toumani Touré is ousted in a coup d'état led by Amadou Sanogo
  • Northern Mali completely captured by rebels by April 2012, "Independent State of Azawad" declared by the MNLA and briefly supported by Ansar Dine
  • Islamist groups (Ansar Dine, AQIM and MOJWA) seize Northern Mali from MNLA and impose sharia law in the region
  • France and some African states intervene and help the Malian Army to re-take most of Northern Mali
  • Peace deal between the government and Tuareg rebels signed on 18 June 2013
  • Peace deal ended after Malian soldiers opened fire on unarmed protesters
  • Ceasefire signed on 20 February 2015 between Malian government and the Coordination of Azawad Movements
  • Mali's leaders have rejected autonomy, but are willing to consider devolved local powers
  • Low-level fighting continues
Belligerents

Mali Government of Mali

 France
ECOWAS


 Chad
 Burundi
 Gabon
 South Africa
 Rwanda
 Tanzania
 Uganda
 China
 Germany
 Sweden


Supported by:


Non-state combatants:

Commanders and leaders

Mali Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (since September 2013)
Mali Dioncounda Traoré (April 2012–September 2013)
Mali Amadou Sanogo (March–April 2012)
Mali Amadou Toumani Touré (until March 2012)
Mali Sadio Gassama (until March)
Mali El Haji Ag Gamou (until March)
France François Hollande
France Édouard Guillaud
France Colonel Thierry Burkhard
France Brigade General Gregory de Saint-Quentin
Nigeria Shehu Usman Abdulkadir
Niger Yaye Garba
Chad Mahamat Déby Itno
Chad Abdel Aziz Hassane Adam  
Chad Omar Bikomb

...