After the incident of Tchin Tabaraden in 1990 the question of the Tuaregs in sub Saharan countries appeared to be essential for balance in the region. Many other atrocities were committed, with casualties only within the Tuareg ethno-group.
The Nigeran government decided to hold a national conference (1991 - 1992).
The Tuaregs participated in this conference, which led to interesting debates. The fact that some arrests (incident of Agades, August 1992) were made without orders from Nigeran military chiefs, led to a meeting of Nigeran army officers whose aim was to clearly define their objectives against the rebels and the need to control them.
The Tuareg movement in Mali was severely repressed by the Malian Army, but once again the soldiers seemed to act without agreement from the present government.
The Malian army kept convincing the local population of the detrimental role Tuaregs played in their problems.
The government, however, sought to get the agreement of international opinion, embodied by the Organization Amnesty International, by high-lighting the atrocities comitted by Tuaregs and denouncing the separatist state of mind of the Rebels.
The year began with peace talks between the government and the Tuareg factions. Under the mediation of Algeria, which was concerned because 150 000 Tuaregs lived in South Algeria (Tamanrasset, Djanet...). An agreement was signed in January 1991.
This good intention was without consequence, because the agreement was signed hastily. Furthermore, the Malian government probably preferred to solve the conflict in a military way. This was the trigger for rebellion in Mali - young deceived Tuaregs decided to lead an armed action and many Armed movements were born after this conference.
On 20th May 1991, in Léré - district of Timbuktu - the Malian Military slaughtered dozens of Tuaregs and Moors in a public place. The Tuareg families were kept hostage by the soldiers for a whole year. This decision confirm to the civil population that a terrible war had begun.