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52 CHAPTER 1shortly after the proclamation of independence of the Soudanese Republic,again raised such expectations among the nomad population.Great importance has been attached to this visit in Tuareg circles, which expectedeither a definition of their status, which they see, rightly or wrongly, as not yetdefined in the present conjuncture, or an opportunity to manifest their separatist[particulariste] sentiments and aspirations. After the visit from these higher authorities,they feel the question remains unsolved, and a certain feeling of discomfortremains. 82After full Malian independence in 1960, the OCRS remained existent inNiger, Chad and Algeria, until Algerian independence in 1962. Mali, despite thevisible financial and material advantages of the OCRS in Niger and Algeria,formally retreated from the organisation, to the regret of the Kel Tamasheq. It isclear that the nomad populations of the North had great interest in the OCRS,but it was not their only point of reference. Most tribal chiefs and Tamasheqand Bidân évolués knew full well what the international political setting wasand what their position in the national field was. They estimated the latter to bea future position as a national minority without effective power (although theywere unlikely to have used this term themselves). They estimated however thatthe international setting could perhaps generate a measure of autonomy throughthe complications of the struggle over the Sahara, but also through the strugglein Algeria and the Middle East, and the larger setting of the Cold War ingeneral.The nomads are particularly informed. If an old chief such as the amenokal of theIforas, who now lives in retirement, inquires with his passing guests after the OCRS,Egypt, Morocco, the developments in the Algerian war, Russia and the UnitedStates, it clearly shows the present worries, and to which point the entire Sahararesonates the with news of all events that could have an impact on their own lives. 83Greater Morocco, greater Mauritania and Mali’s Northwestern borderThe OCRS project was not the only danger threatening the territorial integrityof Soudan Français or currying favour with nomad leaders. Although the directimpact was weaker, troubles in and over Mauritania would to some extent affectthe Northern parts of Soudan Français as well. Bidân leaders of Soudaneseorigins were deeply involved.On 2 March 1956 the Kingdom of Morocco became an independent stateunder Sultan Mohamed V. But in 1956, Moroccan politics had not found its8283République Soudanaise, Gouvernement Provisoire, Cercle de Goundam. Revuemensuelle du mois de décembre 1958. ACG.Territoire du Soudan Français, Cercle de Goundam. Bulletin mensuel de renseignements,Juin 1957. ACG.