Attici ag Amellal

Attici Ag Amellal was the eighth Aménokal, a title meaning "leader" or "sultan", of the Kel Ahaggar, a Tuareg confederation in southern Algeria. His reign, lasting from 1900 to 1904, coincided with a turbulent period marked by French colonial expansion and internal political divisions within the Kel Ahaggar.

Rise to Power and French Colonial Threat
According to traditional Kel Ahaggar succession rules, Mohamed Ag Urzig, the nephew of the previous Aménokal Ayt Ag Mohamed Biska, should have inherited the leadership. However, the arrival of French military forces in the region in 1899, particularly their capture of the oasis of In Salah, created significant tension.

The Kel Ahaggar viewed French encroachment as a threat to their autonomy and traditional way of life. This external pressure fractured the Kel Ahaggar society. A minority faction, led by Mohamed Ag Urzig, favored collaboration with the French. Attici Ag Amellal, son of Ayt Ag Mohamed Biska's younger sister, emerged as the leader of the opposing majority who fiercely resisted French colonization.

Leading the Resistance
The Kel Ahaggar assembly responsible for selecting the Aménokal, known as the Ameni, decisively chose Attici Ag Amellal. This decision reflected the desire of the Kel Ahaggar to maintain their independence in the face of French intrusion.

Attici Ag Amellal's reign was likely characterized by attempts to mobilize the Kel Ahaggar against French forces. The details of his leadership and resistance efforts during this period remain unclear due to limited historical sources.

Short Reign and Legacy
Attici Ag Amellal 's reign ended in 1904. Following his rule, Moussa Ag Amastan, who advocated for cooperation with the French, became the Aménokal. French colonial influence continued to grow in the region, eventually leading to the subjugation of the Kel Ahaggar.

Attici Ag Amellal's significance lies in his role as a leader who embodied the Kel Ahaggar resistance to French colonialism during a critical juncture in their history. Despite the brevity of his reign, he serves as a reminder of the Kel Ahaggar's struggle to preserve their autonomy in the face of European domination.