PREAMBLE

In January this year, Mali witnessed a group of armed northerners (MNLA) driven by the will to self determination, took control of the vast areas of the north known as Azawad. A rebellion, popularly referred to as the Tuareg Rebellion, was able to drive the Malian forces out of the region due to the power vacuum in Bamako in March this year. The rebels a day after capturing Douentza, a town close to Mopti, called off the offensive and proclaimed independence from Mali.

 MNLA, after the offensive, could not come to an agreement with an Islamist group- Ansar Dine who fought alongside the rebels in taken over Azawad- as to which direction Azawad should take. This was largely due to the presence of some terrorist groups linked to ALQAEDA. This resulted into a clash with the narco-terrorists, the infamous AQIM and MUJAO, forcing MNLA to leave the cities to prevent the death of civilians.

The Islamists having gained control of the region have subjected the population of the region to their own strict understanding of Isalm.  Close to ten suspected people have been amputated or killed according to the new law. Food shortage in a region already struggling with drought has hit a record high leading to astronomical food prices. Over 20% of the populations have been displaced with some moving into neighboring countries. Public service has collapsed and lack of health provision coupled with rape and discrimination against women has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. Drug trafficking is booming and kidnappings for ransom has become the order of the day. On a rampage, the Islamists destroy holy sites of historical value.

PETITION

WE the undersigned, call on the Government of Ghana, ECOWAS, AU, UN and the EU to find a working solution for this appalling humanitarian crisis.

* We strongly support the use of dialogue over military intervention in resolving this situation- the lives of the population is on the line.

* We the descendants of the north see MNLA as the legitimate body to enter into any negotiation that concerns the people of Azawad.

*We call on Ansar Dine to abandon its extremist views and unite with MNLA to bring peace and prosperity to the region

* We call on the above regional bodies to demand from Bamako and MNLA to work in tandem to rid the region of these terrorist groups.

*Per the UN resolution that paves the way to a military intervention for the recovery of the north, we demand ECOWAS and all parties involved to cooperate with MNLA and use the group as a military wing, for they are conversant with the terrain.