"Mali is an anarchic state. Therefore, we have gathered a national liberation movement to put in an army capable of securing our land and an executive office capable of forming democratic institutions. We declare the independence of Azawad from this day on.

— Moussa Ag Assarid, MLNA spokesman, 6 April 2012

On the 6th of April, 2012, the MLNA (National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad) declared independence from Mali. The movement was fueled by decades-old widespread grievances over corruption, ethnic cleansing, and poverty in Northern Mali. 

Resources:

www.thedefencehorizon.org/post/liberation-terror-azawad 

www.ict.org.il/UserFiles/AzawadICT%20-%20Barducci%20final.pdf 

alchetron.com/National-Movement-for-the-Liberation-of-Azawad 

Historically, the Tuareg people have been nomadic. But this way of life has become increasingly difficult due to a change in the climate and rising temperatures. Over the past 40 years, persistent drought has forced many to settle in towns & cities. Crops have also been altered to help sustain a food supply that is less susceptible to drought and needs less water.

Resources:

www.npr.org/2007/07/02/11608264/drought-forces-desert-nomads-to-settle-down  

reliefweb.int/report/mali/does-climate-change-cause-conflicts-sahel  

www.climate-change.tv/7688