Mali: Scope, consequences and implications

By Dieudonné DIAMA

Bamako, 21 Mar (AMAP) The Malian government, through a decree dated March 8th, by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Alousséni Sanou, has added several leaders of armed movements and terrorist groups to the national list of targeted financial sanctions, notifying the rest of the world, especially countries that may harbor them, that these actors are terrorists.

Therefore, they should no longer be able to manipulate financial flows or benefit from mobility, especially by air, land, or even river means.

The Malian government accuses Iyad Ag Ghaly, Amadou Barry known as Amadoun Kouffa, Alghabass Ag Intalla, Bilal Ag Achérif, Fahad Ag Almahmoud, and Achafagui Ag Bouhada, among others, “of acts of terrorism for their affiliation with a terrorist group intentionally linked to a terrorist enterprise, financing of terrorism, illegal possession of war weapons and ammunition intentionally linked to a terrorist enterprise, undermining national unity and territorial integrity as well as association of wrongdoers.”

The assets and economic resources of these individuals are frozen for a period of six months, renewable.

According to Dr. Aly Tounkara, an expert in peace, defense, and security issues at the Sahel Center for Security and Strategic Studies (CE3S), this listing is important for several reasons. It will not only allow the Malian government to notify the rest of the world and particularly countries that may harbor them that these actors are terrorists. And, by extension, all financial operations of these actors, whether through financial flows from institutions like banks or through unorthodox channels, such as the black market, are prohibited by the government of Mali and also by the various conventions to which almost all states are signatories in the fight against terrorism and money laundering.

Amadou Barry known as Amadoun Kouffa

“It is also a strong signal to the State of Mali, to tell countries that would harbor them that, as soon as they accept to host terrorists, by default, they are supporting them in the heinous crimes and terrorist financing they commit in Mali and beyond,” analyzes Dr. Tounkara. He also said that this listing “is a clear testimony of the Malian State conforming to the spirit of treaties and even rights related to terrorism financing and other forms of criminality.”

The researcher argues that it is also a diplomatic message sent to those states likely to harbor Iyad Ag Ghaly, Amadoun Kouffa, or Bilal Ag Acherif. “All those individuals on this list are now, by the Malian government, qualified as actors who are not at all reputable by Mali, and they should not be by countries that continue to harbor them despite the condemnations they receive from the United Nations,” said the CE3S expert.

CONSEQUENCES – For the actors concerned, Dr. Tounkara indicates that they can no longer carry out official financial transactions. Also, they can no longer benefit from mobility by air, land, or even rivers because this listing not only identified the actors but also shared the various administrative documents they hold on behalf of the Malian State.

“This listing will have as a consequence for these actors, the automatic cancellation of the various administrative documents they hold on behalf of the Malian State, but it is also a message for all border police, actors responsible for mobility issues, financial flows, not to cooperate with these entrepreneurs of violence because they are not only terrorists but at the same time, they continue to support various criminal enterprises operating in Mali and the Sahel region in general,” details the expert on peace, defense, and security issues.

In terms of consequences, Dr. Tounkara also believes that it is a clear limitation imposed on these actors listed. According to him, since all states have committed to effectively combating terrorism, they are supposed to respect the decision “scrupulously.”

Bilal Ag Achérif

However, the researcher acknowledges that it is difficult today for some neighboring countries of Mali to implement such a decision against the actors officially on their territory and other states suspected of harboring a number of terrorist actors.

For him, beyond the legal aspect, the decision is a way for the State of Mali to evaluate with relevance and effectiveness which neighboring states are in line and which are out of step with it, especially in the fight against terrorism. “This decision goes beyond a simple list being displayed but is a test that will prompt other states to act towards Mali. Any inaction from these targeted or concerned states that continue to harbor both terrorists and former separatists who have also succumbed to the charm of terrorism will, by default, make them enemies of Mali,” adds Dr. Tounkara.

Furthermore, Dr. Aly Tounkara argues that being listed as terrorists by the State of Mali does not exclude the possibility that, in the end, they may be directly or indirectly involved in the Direct Inter-Malian Dialogue now underway. “If we look closely at various talks following terrorism, whether in Algeria, Mauritania, or Afghanistan, many actors had been labeled terrorists, deemed unsavory by the states concerned, but in the name of harmony and peace, certain constitutional provisions were ultimately overlooked to reach a substantial dialogue space for lasting peace and social cohesion,” recalls Aly Tounkara.

Beyond being listed as terrorist groups, he said that actors like Iyad Ag Ghaly, Amadoun Kouffa, and even some former members of the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) remain important elements in establishing lasting peace.

For him, it is not about erasing all the crimes committed by these individuals or downplaying their wrongdoings in the file. But, in the name of realpolitik and pragmatism, “it is important not to rule out the possibility of seeing these same actors at the heart of the process for lasting peace and stability,” much desired by our communities.

DD/MD (AMAP)