Page "Military of Mali" Paragraph 6

The First Tuareg Rebellion began in 1990 when Tuareg separatists attacked government buildings around Gao.

The armed forces ' reprisals led to a full-blown rebellion in which the absence of opportunities for Tuareg in the army was a major complaint.

The conflict died down after Alpha Konaré formed a new government and made reparations in 1992.

Also, Mali created a new self-governing region, the Kidal Region, and provided for greater Tuareg integration into Malian society.

In 1994, Tuareg, reputed to have been trained and armed by Libya, attacked Gao, which again led to major Malian Army reprisals and to the creation of the Ghanda Koi Songhai militia to combat the Tuareg.

Mali effectively fell into civil war.