I've said the issue of Tuareg loyalties is in doubt. The people who live in the north are issuing a warning that they won't just stand around watching Mali soldiers from the south (the "Africans") lord it over them and seek revenge for defeats of a year ago:
The Arab Movement of Azawad (MAA) told AFP it had taken Ber, a settlement of 9 000 people located 50km east of Timbuktu, from an armed gang which had been “harassing our parents”.
“As of Sunday, we control the town,” Mohamed El Maouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the MAA told AFP.
“We want to work with the French and Africans fighting against terrorism and drug traffickers,” he added.
These aren't the maing Tuareg rebels of the MNLA, but the agitation of various groups shows that the situation is too unsettled. As the French prepare to pull out 75% of their forces, they really need to nail down Tuareg cooperation by pushing the Mali government to stop being jerks. If not, we'll see the Tuaregs join in these shows of force that deny Mali government authority at all.
