National Council of Ayllus and Markas of Qullasuyu
| Full name | National Council of Ayllus and Markas of Qullasuyu |
|---|---|
| Native name | Consejo Nacional de Ayllus y Markas del Qullasuyu |
| Founded | 22 March 1997 |
| Affiliation | Andean Coordination of Indigenous Organizations (COAI) |
| Key people |
Sergio Hinojosa Singuri, Jiliri Apu Mallku Herminia Colque, Jiliri Mama T’alla |
| Office location | La Paz, Bolivia |
| Country | Bolivia |
| Website | http://www.conamaq.org |
The National Council of Ayllus and Markas of Qullasuyu (Spanish: Consejo Nacional de Ayllus y Markas del Qullasuyu; CONAMAQ) is a confederation of traditional governing bodies of Quechua-, Aymara- and Uru-speaking highland indigenous communities in the departments of La Paz, Oruro, Potosí, Cochabamba, Chuquisaca and Tarija, Bolivia. Specifically, it represents the following 16 suyus: Jacha Carangas, Jatun Quillacas, Asamajaquis, Charcas Qara Qara, Council of Ayllus of Potosí, Qara Qara Suyu, Sora, Kallawaya, Leco, Larecaja, Colla, Chui, Paca Jake, Ayllus of Cochabamba, Kapaj Omasuyus and Yapacaní. CONAMAQ was founded on March 22, 1997, with the purpose of restoring the self-governance of "original nations" including "collective rights to land and natural resources, re-definition of administrative units and self-determination exercised through indigenous autonomies and direct representation in state institutions." CONAMAQ is a member of the National Coordination for Change, and of the Andean Coordination of Indigenous Organizations. It was a member of the Pact of Unity in Bolivia from its founding until December 2011.
The organization's maximum governing body is its Jach'a Tantachawi, or Congress, six of which have been held so far, most recently in August 2009 in Oruro. These gatherings elect a leadership which includes two pairs of men and women: the Jiliri Apu Mallku and Jiliri Mama T’alla (first male and female leaders) and Arquiri Apu Mallku and Arquiri Mama T’alla (second male and female leaders). While theoretically equal, the male leaders represent the organization more often.
Long a close ally of the government of Evo Morales, CONAMAQ became increasingly critical of it from 2011 onwards. The organization co-sponsored the Eight Grand National Indigenous March with the Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of Bolivia (CIDOB), backing the right of indigenous communities in the Isiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory to refuse a highway project through their land. Following the government's failed attempt to stop the march on September 25, 2011, CONAMAQ's leadership took an overtly critical tone toward the government, and left the pro-government Pact of Unity by a decision taken at its Seventh Jach'a T'antachawi. Under the leadership of Felix Becerra, CONAMAQ continued to coordinate closely with CIDOB and to jointly advance a draft law on indigenous consultation authorizing local indigenous communities to exercise free, prior, and informed consent over projects on their lands.
...
Wikipedia