This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the causes of the 2012 Malian conflict, using a combination of document review and semi- structured interviews. It is based on the responses of 15 participants, including academicians, community leaders, community representatives and top government officials, who were interviewed. The study focused on the role of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), a predominantly Tuareg military group aligned with religious forces, in the uprising and the subsequent combats in the country since then. The study identified several internal factors that contributed to the conflict, such as socio-cultural, economic, political and religious militancy, as well as issues related to governance and access to land. The authors also examined external factors, such as the Libyan crisis and French colonialism and intervention, significantly impacting the conflict. The study concludes with recommendations for Malian policymakers and the international peace community to facilitate good governance, address socio-economic and cultural grievances and facilitate dialogue and reconciliation.
