Hamma Ag Mahmoud, who served as Mali’s Minister of Labor and Public Service from 1986 to 1988 under the military regime of General Moussa Traoré, later became a regional prefect overseeing Sikasso, Koulikoro, Ségou, Gao, and Tombouctou. His political journey took a decisive turn in 2011 when he relocated to Mauritania, only to re-emerge during the 2012 rebellion by joining the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA). In this capacity, he played a key role in negotiating the 2015 peace agreement between the MNLA and the Malian government.

political elite’s failures spark national crisis

In an exclusive interview, the former minister now publicly aligns himself with the Coalition of Forces for the Republic (CFR), led by Imam Dicko. He cites the current “period of crisis” and “national disintegration” as urgent reasons for collective action. “Malians must unite around a shared vision of society where everyone finds their place,” he asserts. “The CFR has taken the initiative—all citizens should rally behind it to organize a national conference that corrects past mistakes.”

Criticizing the political class for its failures, Hamma Ag Mahmoud states, “The rebellions and jihadist insurgencies plaguing Mali stem directly from the elite’s inability to govern responsibly.” He emphasizes the need for an inclusive political project that addresses the root causes of instability.

can jihadist groups be integrated into a republican framework?

The Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-affiliated group, has recently softened its rhetoric in Mali, positioning itself as a political actor while maintaining its ultimate goal of imposing sharia law. The question arises: Is negotiation with such groups possible within a republican system?

The former civil administrator remains optimistic: “Absolutely. All democratic principles—equality, justice—must be applied by including every Malian in the process.”