Fahad Ag Almahmoud
Malian Tuareg militant (died 2024)
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Fahad Ag Almahmoud (died 1 December 2024) was a Malian Imghad Tuareg militant who served as the secretary-general of GATIA from its formation in 2014 until 2023, when he split from the group and formed his own faction of GATIA.
Fahad Almahmoud | |
|---|---|
| Secretary-general of GATIA | |
| In office 15 August 2014 – 13 July 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Youssef Ag Mohamed |
| Commander of GATIA (Almahmoud) | |
| In office 18 July 2023 – 1 December 2024 | |
| President of the CSP-PSD | |
| In office March 2022 – August 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Bilal Ag Acherif |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 1 December 2024 |
Biography
Almahmoud first began serving in GATIA at the start of the group's foundation in 2014, where he became the secretary-general of the group.[1] Almahmoud was an Imghad Tuareg, the Tuareg clan that predominantly composes GATIA.[1][2] He often served as the spokesperson for the group as well, conducting numerous interviews with Malian and international media.[3] In 2019, Almahmoud stated that he believed that the Algiers Agreement did not resolve insecurity in northern Mali, and that there was no governance coming from the Malian government.[4] Almahmoud also stated he didn't believe in Azawadian independence.[5]
Between March and August 2022, Almahmoud served as the president of the CSP-PSD, a coalition composed of pro-government and former rebel minority militant groups.[6] His predecessor was Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) founder and leader Bilal Ag Acherif, making Almahmoud's election as president a major reconciliation between GATIA and the CMA.[6]
In July 2023, as tensions escalated between the CSP-PSD and the Malian junta over the latter's growing violations of the Algiers Agreement, Almahmoud was kicked out of the Platform coalition which GATIA is a part of due to his criticism of the Malian government.[7] Almahmoud was also fired from his role as secretary-general of GATIA, and Youssef Ag Mohamed was appointed his successor.[8] Almahmoud stated that he had been fired unjustly for his criticisms, and that GATIA commander El Gamou and Malian Minister of National Reconciliation Ismaël Wagué had planned his firing.[8]
When these tensions escalated into a war between the Malian government and CSP-PSD in September, Almahmoud created his own faction of the group.[9] This faction was recognized as the legitimate faction of GATIA by other members of the CSP-PSD.[8] In December 2023, Almahmoud and other leaders of the CSP were supported by Algeria in holding up the Algiers Accords.[10] In March 2024, Almahmoud was declared a terrorist by the Malian junta along with other members of the CSP-PSD.[11]
On 1 December 2024, Almahmoud was killed in a drone strike by the Malian army[12][13] alongside seven other Tuareg separatist leaders in Tinzaouaten.[14]