Azawad: The Tuaregs’ Nonexistent State In A Desolate, Poverty-Stricken Wasteland
Mali -- which witnessed the overthrow of a democratically elected government by a military coup last month, as well as a burgeoning separatist movement -- is one of the poorest, most desolate places on earth.
The nation's new interim president, Dioncounda Traore, who is to serve for 40 days until official elections can be held according to the constitution, has threatened to launch a “total war” against Tuareg rebels and Islamist militants, who control most of the northern desert region.