ConflictBarometer_2016

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
MALI (INTER-MILITANT RIVALRY / NORTHERN
MALI)
Intensity: 3 | Change: | Start: 2012
region.
Furthermore, on November 16, the Islamist group Ansar al-Din
clashed with GATIA, attacking their positions in Tisawached,
Kidal, and killing three of their fighters. maw
Conflict parties:
Conflict items:
Ansar al-Din vs. HCUA, MAA, MNLA vs.
GATIA vs. Ganda Izo
subnational predominance
MOZAMBIQUE (RENAMO)
Intensity: 3 | Change: | Start: 2012
The violent crisis over subnational predominance between
various militant groups in northern Mali continued.
While the Ifoghas Tuareg group National Movement for the
Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and various Islamist groups,
among them Ansar al-Din, had intended to establish their own
state in the three northern regions of Kidal, Gao, and Timbuktu
in early 2012, the alliance had broken in May 2012 [→ Mali
(HCUA, MNLA et al. / Azawad); Algeria, Mali et al. (AQIM et
al)]. In 2013, MNLA, the High Council for the Unity of Azawad
(HCUA), and the Arab Movement of Azawad (MAA) had
formed the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA). The
Self-Defense Group of Imghad Tuareg and Allies (GATIA) had
formed the so-called Platform with, among others, a splinter
faction of MAA. Both CMA and the Platform had taken part in
the peace negotiations with the government, which had resulted
in a peace agreement on 06/20/15. Despite the agreement,
CMA and Platform members had clashed repeatedly.
This year, tensions between CMA and the Platform arose over
the control of the CMA-stronghold Kidal town, eponymous region,
while combats were limited to the second half of the
year. On February 2, around 50 vehicles with GATIA fighters
entered the town of Kidal, which CMA considered as a
provocation. The following day, Alghabass Ag Intalla, leader of
CMA, demanded GATIA's retreat. On February 6, both parties
reached an agreement assuring their mutual interest in dialogue
and peace, and GATIA agreed to reduce its forces in Kidal.
On July 19, violence between CMA and GATIA erupted for
the first time since September 2015, when a shooting broke
out in the town of Kidal, leaving one fighter on each side dead
and one injured. This incident took place only two days after
GATIA and CMA had signed an agreement in Niamey, Niger,
over shared control of the city. In the following weeks, violence
between the two groups intensified. Between July
21 and 22, GATIA and CMA clashed again in Kidal, leaving
at least 15 fighters dead and approx. 40 injured. According
to MINUSMA, the fighting involved the use of heavy weapons
such as mortars. Eight days later, GATIA stated to have killed
six CMA fighters during clashes the same day in Edjerer, Kidal.
According to GATIA, 44 persons died and 58 were injured
when CMA and GATIA fought again on August 9 in Edjerer. Further
clashes between the two groups in Inachdayte, Kidal, on
September 16 and between Tessit and N'Tillit, Gao region, on
December 1 resulted in the killing of at least five fighters.
Moreover, GATIA attacked the self-defense group Ganda Izo
in May and in June in order to disarm their members and to
prevent them from installing their own military camp. Both
groups were part of the Platform. On May 14, fighting between
the two groups in Ndaki, Timbuktu region, left three
militants dead, while on June 11, up to ten fighters died and
at least one was injured in confrontations in Douentza, Mopti
77
Conflict parties:
Conflict items:
RENAMO vs. government
autonomy
The violent crisis over autonomy between the main opposition
party Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) and
the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) continued.
Compared to 2015, tensions between RENAMO and FRELIMO
increased significantly.
Despite the 2014 peace agreement, members of RENAMO
repeatedly used violence against both civilians and security
forces, mainly in the provinces of Sofala, Zambezia and Manica's
Báruè district, killing at least 68 people and injuring at
least 103. Security forces targeting RENAMO attacked members
and buildings, and seized weapons and ammunition. As a
consequence, 6,000 civilians fled to neighboring Malawi and
Zimbabwe. The continuing violence left 9,000 primary school
pupils in Zambesia unable to continue their education, especially
in the town of Sabe, where RENAMO announced the establishment
of a new military base.
Throughout the year, RENAMO repeatedly conducted attacks
on infrastructural targets, especially private and commercial
vehicles. On April 18, police forces killed two members of RE-
NAMO who attempted to sabotage a bridge in Honde, Báruè.
For instance, gunmen injured three people in an attack on a
bus in Longoze, Mopeia district, Zambezia, on May 19. On
June 8, members of RENAMO burned down five trucks in
Báruè, killing one person and injuring several more. In response,
the police reintroduced armed escorts for vehicles
on the 100 km stretch of the main highway between the Save
River and Muxungue, Chibabava district, Sofala. On July 22,
members of RENAMO attacked an escorted convoy on the
N7 Vanduzi-Changara road in Sofala. In a subsequent fire
exchange with the police, 16 people were injured. Furthermore,
RENAMO gunmen attacked two coal trains of the Brazilbased
mining company Vale on June 4 and 6 in Sofala, injuring
at least three people. On July 25, members of REN-
AMO attacked another train of the company as it passed Inhamintanga,
Cheringoma district, Sofala, killing the conductor.
Vale later suspended coal trains along the Sena railway
line. Furthermore, members of RENAMO frequently attacked
local politicians and officials as well as their families.
On July 24, members of RENAMO allegedly killed the wife of
the village secretary of Tsana, Funhalouro district, Inhambane
province. On October 14, members of RENAMO torched the
house of a local state official in Muxungue. They injured him,
killed his son, and shot at people trying to leave the building.
RENAMO also repeatedly attacked governmental buildings.
For instance, on July 26, members of RENAMO attacked
the Cheringoma administrative post. They killed a policeman,
burnt down a vehicle belonging to the National Institute for