The High Council for the Unity of Azawad

The High Council for the Unity of Azawad (HCUA) formed in May 2013, allegedly founded by ex-fighters from Ansar Dine. The group is based in Kidal, and the vast majority of its fighters are ethnic Tuaregs from the Ifoghas tribe. The HCUA aims to establish an independent state of Azawad, ruled by the Tuareg people. The group joined the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and the Arab Movement of Azawad (MAA) to form an umbrella group called the Coordination of the Movements of Azawad (CMA) in November 2013. On June 20, 2015, the HCUA, as a part of the CMA, signed the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali with the Malian government, which would establish political and institutional reforms related to defense and security.