Interview- Ansar Dine’s spokesman: military action in Mali is conspiracy against Algeria

Ansar Dine agreed on holding talks with central authorities in Mali following a meeting between the movement and Algerian authority‘s representatives. “Military intervention in Mali would be genocide if African forces are assigned to accomplish this mission. The fabrication of the Malian crisis aims at stealing uranium and oil and hitting Algeria’s unity,” Ansar Dine’s spokesman Sanda Ould Bouamama told Echorouk in an interview on Tuesday.

Ould Bouamama said his movement asks for a comprehensive and urgent solution with all involved parts. “We do not have a unilateral solution. We need to hold a dialogue and discuss the issue objectively.”

He believes that Ansar Dine’s demands are clear and legitimate, saying Azwad are people deprived of their rights. The conflict goes back to a half a century ago. “It’s time to give these people their right.”

“A total of 95 percent of Malian people are Muslims. We want Sharia to be respected on a Muslim land. We did not ask for that in Paris. What we want is clear: to obey Allah in daily life,” he added.

He also says his movement does not ask for separation from central authorities in Mali.

Speaking about Azwad, Ansar Dine’s spokesman said there is a big difference between the two movements. “We are asking for respecting religion and they are secular. They want separation. We had a deal but they did not want to respect it.”

Earlier, Algerian interior minister Dahou told Echorouk in an interview Algeria is against military intervention and prefers peaceful and political solution based on territorial unity in Mali.

Ansar Dine’s representative says Algeria is a large country in North Africa and it has important human and natural capacities. “It is the only nation which can satisfy people’s demands in the region thanks to its experience in crises management.”

He believes that Europe including France wants to hit Algeria to weaken it and have control on the situation. “After Iraq and Afghanistan, it’s Algeria’s turn. It is the first target. All those plans aim at taking advantage from natural resources in the region.”

“There is a big conspiracy against Algeria. The Algerian people know that and the country must not let others manipulate it,” he added.

Asked about relations between Ansar Dine and terror organizations in western Africa, Ould Bouamama said his movement is independent and does not receive any dictation. “Our relations with Muslims are good. They are our brothers. We have nothing to do with terrorism. This idea is a well-known western scenario.”