Mali's Tuareg rebels, who have seized country's north, declare independence of Azawad nation
BAMAKO, Mali - Rebels of the nomadic Tuareg people who have seized control of Mali's remote north have declared independence of the Azawad nation, citing 50 years of bad governance and U.N. articles on the rights of native people.
The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad accused Mali's governments of attempting to wipe out Tuaregs including by starving them during various droughts.
Rebels led by colonels who fought for Moammar Gadhafi led the rebellion that profited from a March 21 coup in the capital of Bamako to swiftly seize the main northern towns.
A statement on their website, signed by Secretary General Billal Ag Acherif, said "Considering the complete liberation of the territory of Azawad, we irrevocably proclaim the independence state of Azawad counting from today, Friday, April 6, 2012."
