The 1901 law association TEMOUST aims to raise awareness of the Tuareg people and encourage exchanges and contributions regarding their life and future in an increasingly complex context.
The Spirit of the Desert in the Heart of Lyon
At 7 rue Major Martin, right in the center of Lyon, the change of scenery is complete. By pushing open the door of the Temoust association—which means “Country” in the Amazigh (Berber) language—you are not just leaving the city; you are entering the immensity of the Sahara. Between the paintings illustrating nomadic life and the immense map of the desert that adorns the walls, the Tuareg soul comes to life. Over a traditional tea, hospitality immediately recalls the wisdom and freedom that define this fascinating people.
Who Are We?
Founded in 1991 by Abdoulahi Attayoub, the Temoust association was born out of an absolute necessity: to break the silence in the face of the persecutions suffered by the Tuaregs in Niger and Mali during the 1980s.
The Tuareg people, numbering 5 million individuals spread across Algeria, Libya, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, carry within them an ancestral culture where freedom, equality, and the central role of women in the political and social sphere are fundamental pillars. It is this model of society, threatened by political instability, that Temoust strives to protect and promote on the international stage.
Our Struggles, Our Victories
For over 30 years, Temoust has acted as a bridge between the Sahara and global decision-making bodies:
- Diplomatic advocacy: We carry the voice of the Tuaregs before the United Nations to denounce injustices and defend human rights.
- International recognition: Temoust is behind three major European Parliament resolutions concerning the situation of the Tuaregs.
- Political inclusion: While recognition has progressed, the fight continues. We fight to ensure that the Tuaregs are no longer kept out of circles of power in Niger and Mali, and for genuine political representation.
Beyond the Sahara: Amazigh Unity
The vision of Temoust is part of a broader horizon: the Amazigh (Berber) cause in its entirety. A key actor in the creation of the World Amazigh Congress in 1995, Abdoulahi Attayoub works for cultural unity among all Berber ethnicities of North Africa, from the Kabyles to the Tuaregs.
“The goal is identical: the full and complete recognition of our Berber culture and language.” — Abdoulahi Attayoub
Although political realities differ depending on the regions, unity is the engine of our resilience. Together, we preserve a memory, a language, and a way of life that belong to the heritage of all humanity.