The CPA was founded by Ibrahim Ag Mohamed Assaleh, the former external affairs representative of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA).

[5][4] The CPA was created after a fallout between Assaleh and the head of the MNLA, Bilal Ag Acherif, over negotiations with the Malian government.

[4] During negotiations with the Malian government in what would come to be the Algiers Agreement, Assaleh advocated for an Iraqi Kurdistan-style autonomy for the Azawad area.

[13] A UN report from August 8, 2018 accused Alkassoum Ag Abdoulaye, the chief of staff of the CPA, of participating in a jihadist attack in Soumpi alongside Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin to gain weapons and ammo.

"[15] The United Nations Security Council implemented sanctions on him that December, banning him from travelling outside Mali for breaking the Algiers Agreement.