Who's Who in Mali
Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)
Ansar Dine
Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA/MUJAO)
National Movement for Liberation of Azawad (MNLA)
Boko Haram
Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)
- Formed in the 1990's to fight Algeria's secular government
- Wants to rid North Africa of western influence and impose sharia
- Estimated to have amassed $100 million in kidnapping ransoms
- Most members are from outside Mali
Ansar Dine
- Formed in Mali in 2012
- Wants to impose strict sharia law
- Many members are Tuaregs who fought in Libya
- Founder Ag Ghaly attempted to become leader of MNLA
Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA/MUJAO)
- Members broke off from AQIM in 2011
- Wants to establish Islamic law across west Africa
- Most members are from outside Mali
- Has abducted aid workers and diplomats for ransom
National Movement for Liberation of Azawad (MNLA)
- Ethnic Tuareg group formed in northern Mali
- Fought in Libya with forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi
- Seeks to establish a secular state called Azawad in northern Mali
- Was allied with Ansar Dine; pushed from power after northern takeover
Boko Haram
- Based in Nigeria, where it wants to impose Islamic law
- Has killed more than 1,000 in attacks in Nigeria
- Believed to be sharing funds and training with AQIM
- Its fighters have been seen with Islamists in Mali