Achafghi Ag Bohada

Ag Bohada was born in Tessalit, Mali in 1967. He is a Tuareg from the Irradjanatan clan of the Imghad, a vassal clan of the Ifoghas.^[1] Like many other Malian Tuaregs, Ag Bohada joined Libya's Islamic Legion in the 1980s like many other Tuaregs, and then joined the Malian Army.^[1] He served under El Hadj Ag Gamou during the First Battle of Kidal, but was forced to flee to Niger. Shortly afterward he defected and joined Ansar Dine.^[2]

Following French intervention in Mali, Ag Bohada became the right-hand-man of Cheikh Ag Aoussa.^[1][2] Ag Bohada joined the Islamic Movement of Azawad and its successor, the High Council for the Unity of Azawad.^[1] Following Ag Aoussa's death in October 2016, Ag Bohada became the Chief of staff of the HCUA.^[1][2] In 2019, Ag Bohada's name was on a list of documents provided by the Nigerien government of CMA members suspected of collaborating with jihadists.^[3] Equipment taken by jihadists from the Tongo Tongo ambush was transferred to Ag Bohada following the attack.^[4] The CMA denied allegations of Ag Bohada and other members' involvement in jihadist activities.^[3]