That prediction started to come true in August when the AFP reported that "hundreds of armed Tuaregs from Mali" who fought for the toppled Libyan regime were returning to Mali. What's worse, the Tuaregs were integrated into Libya's elite military unit, according to AFP, and were heavily armed. "What's going to become of these fighters? They have vehicles, weapons and expertise," said a teacher from Bamako University. "This is dangerous."

At the time Foreign Policy's Josh Keating viewed the development with concern. "Qaddafi has been meddling in African politics for decades and his downfall is likely to have widespread and surprising ripple-effects throughout the continent." Historically, the Tuaregs have sought acknowledgement of their heritage and have lobbied governments in the southern Sahara to put money into the impoverished areas they dwell in. But with Qaddafi weaponizing them, the rebellion has become more powerful than in years past.

The Guardian reports that besides displacing hundreds of thousands of people, the rebellion has also caused food shortages. The Mali government's inability to smooth over the chaotic region is at the source of the current coup. Cheick Oumar Sissoko, leader of the Mali opposition party African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence, explained why large swaths of the military were driven to overthrow the government. "Mali's army has been very angry since the Tuareg rebels started attacking towns in the north," he said. "They say they are very disappointed that the government has not done more to help them with equipment or food, and that the government has no capacity to resolve any of those problems. So they decide to stop them and now to try to continue the democracy with new elections." In short, thanks a lot, Qaddafi.

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.