Declaration of Azawad — Key Events — Sahel

What happened

With Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal in rebel hands, the MNLA unilaterally declares the independent state of Azawad. No state recognises it.

The high-water mark of the separatist project — and the moment it began losing control of its own rebellion to the jihadist groups that had fought alongside it.

Confidence: High

When6 Apr 2012

WhereNorthern Mali

KindPolitical · Territorial change

ArenaNorthern Mali / Azawad

Confidence: High Sources: Established historical record Methodology Corrections

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Connected records

1 record that this event names, or that name it — every one an explicit reference in a published record, nothing inferred from subject matter.

Participants1

Organisations this event records, with the role and confidence it states.

MNLA · atlasParticipanthigh confidence

Where this fits

This is one entry in the Sahel timeline. The full Key Events surface carries every dated turning point with its filters and its essential subset, and this event in place shows what came before and after it. How Vigil grades, dates and sources its claims is set out in the methodology.