The 19th edition of the Tuareg Diaspora Gathering in Europe was held on August 15 and 16, 2026, in Le Cormier, Normandy. Among the highlights of this gathering, a roundtable brought together several speakers to discuss the political and security situation in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
Opening by Abdoulahi Attayoub The meeting was opened by Abdoulahi Attayoub, President of the Organization of the Tuareg Diaspora in Europe (ODTE). In his introductory remarks, he emphasized the necessity of accepting divergent opinions as a prerequisite for any democratic life, and called for rethinking forms of political organization that allow different communities to coexist within the same space.
A debate moderated by Issouf Maha The moderation of the debate was entrusted to the writer and former Nigerien elected official Issouf Maha, who introduced the four guest speakers invited to share their analyses:
- Mayira Djibrine, President of the Alliance of Democrats of the Sahel;
- Seddick Abba, journalist and analyst;
- Attaye Ag Mohamed, Vice-President in charge of external relations for the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA);
- Mohamed Ag Ahmedou, independent journalist and actor in Azawadian civil society.
The presentations
- Mayira Djibrine emphasized the importance of dialogue and listening, highlighting the value of a space where divergent political opinions can be expressed freely, running counter to the polarization observed in several Sahelian countries.
- Seddick Abba placed the Sahelian crisis in its international context, marked by competition from other hotspots such as the Middle East and Ukraine. He mentioned the geographical expansion of the security threat, from northern Mali to the Lake Chad basin, and advocated for a reassessment of purely military strategies pursued for years, calling for a broader dialogue with other actors to address the root causes of conflicts.
- Attaye Ag Mohamed recalled that the Malian, Nigerien, and Burkinabè crises, although distinct, are part of a deeply interconnected Sahelian space beyond borders inherited from colonization. He defended the idea that the security issue cannot be dissociated from the political issue, and that democracy constitutes above all a mechanism for the peaceful management of disagreements.
- Mohamed Ag Ahmedou focused his presentation on issues of justice, governance, and the protection of civilian populations, particularly within the framework of the conflict opposing the Malian State and the Azawad forces. He also addressed the impact of military operations on civilians and affirmed his support for the Azawad liberation forces.
A deliberate diversity of viewpoints The composition of the panel reflected a deliberate desire to foster dialogue between different, sometimes opposing political sensibilities on the challenges of the central Sahel — whether concerning the question of Azawad, security strategies, or the place of political dialogue in resolving crises. Gathering organized by the Organization of the Tuareg Diaspora in Europe (ODTE), on August 15 and 16, 2026, in Le Cormier (Normandy).
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