Hamma Ag Mahmoud served as Mali’s Minister of Labor and Civil Service between 1986 and 1988 under military leader General Moussa Traoré, later overseeing regions like Sikasso, Koulikoro, Ségou, Gao, and Tombouctou as a prefect. In 2012, he joined the Mouvement national de libération de l’Azawad (MNLA) during the Tuareg rebellion, playing a key role in the 2015 peace accord with Bamako.

Political class has failed Mali

Since relocating to Mauritania in 2011, Hamma Ag Mahmoud now publicly backs the Coalition des forces pour la République (CFR). “We are in a period of crisis; the country is unraveling,” he told David Baché. “Malians must unite behind a shared national project. The CFR has taken the lead, and all Malians should join to organize a national conference that corrects past mistakes.”

“The rise of rebellions and jihadists in Mali stems from the failure of our political class,” he asserted. “People need a unifying political vision that includes everyone.”

Many Malians remain wary—even fearful—of engaging in dialogue with jihadist groups like the Jnim, tied to al-Qaïda, or the idea of partitioning the country. “Integrating them into a shared project would end these cycles,” he argued. “Restoring good governance would eliminate jihadists and rebellions alike.”

Sharia vs. Republic: Can negotiations work?

In recent months, the Jnim has adjusted its rhetoric to position itself as a political actor in Mali. While adopting terms like “sovereignty” and claiming to defend local populations, its core objective remains unchanged: enforcing its interpretation of Sharia. Are talks with such a group feasible within a republican framework?

“Absolutely,” he insisted. “All democratic principles—equality, justice—must be applied by involving all Malians.”