Abstract

Ethnic tensions have long existed in Mali, and intercommunal violence erupted in light of the crisis in 2012. The current resurgence in the north has inflamed an increase in ethnic tensions, and armed groups in the north have splintered into conflicts between local communities, ethnic groups and tribes

For example, Ansar Dine's Berabiche Arabs in January formed their own brigade, Ansar al-Sharia. IRIN, “Mali Conflict Inflames Ethnic Tensions,” AllAfrica, at http://allafrica.com/stories/201310241480.html (last visited 07 Sep. 2014), see also Sarah Halifa-Legrand and Farid Aïchoune, “MALI. La mosaïque de l'armée islamiste,” Le Nouvel Observateur (18 January 2013), available at http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/guerre-au-mali/20130115.OBS5442/mali-la-mosaique-de-l-armee-islamiste.html (last visited 07 Sep. 2014). For more information about Ansar al-Sharia, see GCTAT, “Oumar Ould Hamaha: A Case Study of the Bridges between Three Groups,” at http://www.gctat.org/fr/analyses-rapports-et-notes/29-ranoc/220-oumar-ould-hamaha-a-case-study-of-the-bridges-between-three-groups.html (last visited 07 Sep. 2014). However their leader, Oumar Ould Hamaha, was killed by French airstrike on 8 March 2014. Baba Ahmed, “UN mission: Mali Jihadist Spokesman Hamaha Killed,” Associated Press (14 March 2014), at http://bigstory.ap.org/article/un-mission-mali-jihadist-spokesman-killed (last visited 07 Sep. 2014). There were ethnic clashes between Tuareg rebels and black civilians in July 2013. Alex Duval Smith, “Mali unrest: Kidal's Deadly Race Riots,” BBC News (19 July 2013), available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23379122 (last visited 07 Sep. 2014).

. The conflict degenerated into conflicts between several ethnic groups. ethnic groups have been systematically associated with, and suspected to have colluded with, radical armed movements, without no clear indication of collaboration. Any long-term solution must include genuine attempts to address the fundamental problems that have been feeding the conflict for many years. The northern regions have long suffered from neglect by the central government, despite the undertaken development programs. In light of the low state capacity and presence contributing to a feeling of marginalization of northern communities, and due to the presence of weak institutions, external strategies should have an important role as an intermediary between the state and local communities with a wide range of instruments. Furthermore, social cohesion is of great relevance to any possible solution to the crisis. The communities living in northern Mali need to be connected to each other somehow to make a living, a condition of their survival and thus of cessation of violent acts. This can only be done by building (re)alliances and efficiently working with strategies that do not neglect both local and central authorities.