Northern Mali Conflict

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 an alliance of six armed groups
• Mali's leaders have rejected autonomy, but are willing to consider devolved local powers
• Low-level fighting continues