Factionalism

The MNLA was rumoured to have factionalised, according to the sources in the Malian government,[21] with the Islamist Ansar Dine claiming control of the region after the capture of several cities,[22] previously attributed to the MNLA. Though the international media has linked the MNLA to Ansar Dine and AQIM, the MNLA has distanced itself from both groups, stating that their sole goal is the independence of Azawad.[23] However, after the fall of Timbuktu it said that Azawad would be governed along with Ansar Dine.