Ibrahim Al-Koni

Who is Ibrahim Al-Koni?

Al-Koni’s Identity

‘For identity, while obviously a repository of distinct collective experiences, is finally a construction – involves establishing opposites and ‘others’ whose actuality is always subject to the continuous interpretation and re-interpretation of their differences from ‘us’. Far from a static thing then, identity of self or of ‘other’ is a much worked over historical, social, intellectual, and political process that takes place as a contest involving individuals and institutions in all societies. In short, the construction of identity is bound up with the disposition of power and powerlessness in each society.’

Al-Koni is possibly a ‘post-colonial’ subject who has a plurality of insularities imposed on his persona or identity. He is Tuareg thus a member of a nomadic linguistic, ethnic, and racial rapidly diminishing minority group. The Tuareg lack socio-political organisation and representation. They are particularly vulnerable to being marginalised and rendered an insignificant peripheral group. Understanding the Tuareg identity will contribute to establishing al-Koni’s profile. Though not exclusively a Tuareg phenomenon, the Tuareg endorse an ideology that includes ‘statelessness’ as an important feature of their identity. They do not have a fixed location but one that spans the entire Sahara desert from Libya up to Morocco, and beyond all through Africa, enjoying an absolute freedom of movement and autonomy. Though scatterings of sedentary communities are acknowledged, the Tuareg ‘have always associated fixed abode with serfdom.’