Fahad Ag Almahmoud

Fahad Ag Almahmoud (died 1 December 2024) was a Malian Imghad Tuareg militant who served as the secretary-general of GATIA from its formation in 2014 until 2023, when he split from the group and formed his own faction of GATIA.

Biography Almahmoud first began serving in GATIA at the start of the group's foundation in 2014, where he became the secretary-general of the group. Almahmoud was an Imghad Tuareg, the Tuareg clan that predominantly composes GATIA. He often served as the spokesperson for the group as well, conducting numerous interviews with Malian and international media. In 2019, Almahmoud stated that he believed that the Algiers Agreement did not resolve insecurity in northern Mali, and that there was no governance coming from the Malian government. Almahmoud also stated he didn't believe in Azawadian independence.

Between March and August 2022, Almahmoud served as the president of the CSP-PSD, a coalition composed of pro-government and former rebel minority militant groups. His predecessor was Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) founder and leader Bilal Ag Acherif, making Almahmoud's election as president a major reconciliation between GATIA and the CMA. Almahmoud was also fired from his role as secretary-general of GATIA, and Youssef Ag Mohamed was appointed his successor. Almahmoud stated that he had been fired unjustly for his criticisms, and that GATIA commander El Gamou and Malian Minister of National Reconciliation Ismaël Wagué had planned his firing. This faction was recognized as the legitimate faction of GATIA by other members of the CSP-PSD. In March 2024, Almahmoud was declared a terrorist by the Malian junta along with other members of the CSP-PSD.

On 1 December 2024, Almahmoud was killed in a drone strike by the Malian army alongside seven other Tuareg separatist leaders in Tinzaouaten.