Achafghi Ag Bohada | |
---|---|
Born | 1967 Tessalit, Mali |
Allegiance |
Libya (1980s) Mali (until 2012) Ansar Dine (2012-2013) MIA (2013) HCUA (2013-present) |
Commands held | Chief of Staff of the HCUA (2016-present) |
Battles/wars | Battle of Kidal (2012) |
Achafghi Ag Bohada is a Malian Tuareg rebel and chief of staff of the High Council for the Unity of Azawad.
Ag Bohada was born in Tessalit, Mali in 1967. He is a Tuareg from the Irradjanatan clan of the Imghad, a vassal clan of the Ifoghas. [1] Like many other Malian Tuarges, Ag Bohada joined Libya's Islamic Legion in the 1980s like many other Tuaregs, and then joined the Malian Army. [1] He served under El Hadj Ag Gamou during the First Battle of Kidal, but was forced to flee to Niger. Shortly afterward he defected and joined Ansar Dine. [2]
Following French intervention in Mali, Ag Bohada became the right-hand-man of Cheikh Ag Aoussa. [1] [2] Ag Bohada joined the Islamic Movement of Azawad and its successor, the High Council for the Unity of Azawad. [1] Following Ag Aoussa's death in October 2016, Ag Bohada became the chief of staff of the HCUA. [1] [2] In 2019, Ag Bohada's name was on a list of documents provided by the Nigerien government of CMA members suspected of collaborating with jihadists. [3] Equipment taken by jihadists from the Tongo Tongo ambush was transferred to Ag Bohada following the attack. [4] The CMA denied allegations of Ag Bohada and other members' involvement in jihadist activities. [3]