The CPA was founded by
Ibrahim Ag Mohamed Assaleh, the former external affairs representative of the
National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA). In the statement released during the formation of the group, the CPA consists of 32 members, mostly Tuareg, although the group claims to preside over
Songhai,
Fulani, and Arab communities. The statement also claimed that the CPA had 8,000 fighters, but this was likely exaggerated. On May 21, 2015, Assaleh was expelled from the CPA. In a press release, the CPA stated Assaleh was expelled for not adhering to the Algiers Agreement, which the CPA signed. Mohamed Ousmane Ag Mohamedoun became the subsequent leader of the movement. Shortly after his installment, his two children were kidnapped by unknown assailants. Between July 30 and August 1, 2016, Assaleh and Mohamedoun met in
Soumpi with other members of the CPA. Following an internal election, Mohamedoun became secretary-general of the CPA. That November, Assaleh claimed that the Coalition of the People of Azawad had been dissolved. This was contested by Mohamedoun, who stated that Assaleh no longer represented the movement. In November 2017, the CPA, along with the
Movement for the Salvation of Azawad and three other Tuareg movements, founded the
Coordination of Entente Movements.
Soumpi attack A UN report from August 8, 2018 accused Alkassoum Ag Abdoulaye, the chief of staff of the CPA, of participating in a
jihadist attack in Soumpi alongside
Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin to gain weapons and ammo. Mohamedoun was also accused of having "very actively contributed to delaying the implementation of peace and reconciliation in Timbuktu and Gao regions." The
United Nations Security Council implemented sanctions on him that December, banning him from travelling outside Mali for breaking the Algiers Agreement. == External links ==