Anyone contemplating the national dissatisfaction and discontent that have peaked recently in Algeria can hear a faint echo of Game of Thrones’ famous quote by Cersei Lannister: “Enemies to the east. Enemies to the south….” Algeria seems to be having too much on its plate, with pacifist demands for independence in Kabylia (north) and secessionist Tuareg tribes that are gaining momentum in the vast southern region (Adrar and Hoggar).
4 million Kabylians including expatriates and political refugees are striving to secede from Algeria, and now it is the turn of the Tuaregs (a large Berber ethnic group that principally inhabits the Sahara in a vast area stretching from far southwestern Libya to southern Algeria, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso) to do the same.
Despite the hush-hush attitude towards the violence spreading over the southern parts of Algeria, the junta found itself compelled to break its silence and speak about the deadly clashes between Tuareg fighters and the Algerian army that have rocked the Tamanrasset region in the past weeks.
After concurring reports by several investigative news outlets, the Ministry of National Defense finally announced the arrest of over 182 Tuareg independence fighters in Tamanrasset, Bordj Badji Mokhtar, and in Guezzam from June 7 to 13. The ministry said that it seized 28 vehicles, 39 engine–generators, 31 jackhammers, 1 metal detector, 95 quintals of mixed raw gold and stones, as well as explosives, and detonation equipment used in illegal gold panning operations
Funnily enough, the junta tried to pin some of these unfortunate events on Morocco by claiming the seizure of one quintal and 98 kilograms of cannabis resign originating from the kingdom. A lame attempt to divert attention from the chaotic situation engulfing the country.
According to several media outlets, all arrested Tuareg tribesmen were presented under different designations such as bandits, elements supporting terrorist groups, or illegal gold miners.
The Algerian Ministry of Defense added in the press release that 18 elements supporting terrorist groups were arrested in Tamanrasset and Bordj Badji Mokhtar, where weapons (machine guns of all kinds and grenades) were also seized.
And, in a very shady coincidence, the internet was down in this specific period of time. Algeria explained that by the baccalaureate exams that took place from June 11 to 15 and its attempt to fight fraud using cell phones.
One can just wonder about this amount of raw hypocrisy as the self-proclaimed “democratic” military regime is muzzling voices of opponents, human rights defenders and journalists; while backing separatists in a neighboring country.
Amid this escalation, the various Tuareg armed groups in northern Mali, now united under the banner of a single movement, the Coordination of Azawad Movement (CMA), are now reviving their openly pro-independence ambitions.
The CMA is presently in complete control of Kidal town and the key thoroughfares connecting northern Mali to Algeria. It is also rejecting Bamako’s military authority by refusing to take part in the constitutional referendum slated for June 18.