Consejo Nacional de Ayllus y Markas del Qullasuyu

Consejo Nacional de Ayllus y Markas del Qullasuyu
Name	Consejo Nacional de Ayllus y Markas del Qullasuyu
Native name	Consejo Nacional de Ayllus y Markas del Qullasuyu
Abbreviation	CONAMAQ
Formation	1997
Founder	Bartolina Sisa movement founders
Headquarters	La Paz
Region served	Bolivia, Altiplano
Leader title	Executive Secretary

Consejo Nacional de Ayllus y Markas del Qullasuyu is an indigenous peasant organization founded in Bolivia in the late 20th century to represent Aymara, Quechua, and other Andean communities across the Altiplano and highland regions. It emerged amid social mobilizations linked to land rights, indigenous autonomy, and resource politics involving actors such as Evo Morales, Movimiento al Socialismo, and rural federations like the Bartolina Sisa organization. CONAMAQ has interacted with international institutions including the United Nations and the Organization of American States while contesting policies of the Bolivian state and private extractive industries such as Glencore.

History

CONAMAQ was constituted in 1997 during assemblies where representatives from Ayllus and Markas sought coordination similar to historical federations like the Tahuantinsuyo and organizations such as the Confederación de Pueblos Indígenas de Bolivia. Early mobilizations referenced historical figures like Túpac Katari and drew inspiration from indigenous law frameworks including the International Labour Organization Convention 169 and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. During the 2000s CONAMAQ participated in protests related to the Water War (Cochabamba), the Gas War, and opposition to neoliberal policies advocated by institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Tensions widened with the Evo Morales administration and its alignment with Movimiento al Socialismo, prompting splits influenced by disputes over Sinchis-era policing and resource concessions to companies such as YPFB and Pan American Energy.

Organization and Structure

CONAMAQ modeled its internal governance on traditional Ayllu and Marka systems, incorporating roles analogous to authorities found in communities across La Paz Department, Potosí Department, and Oruro Department. Its General Congress convened spokespeople from territorial units comparable to the Aymara and Quechua cabildos, with an Executive Secretariat and a Jatun Ayllu Council responsible for coordination. Affiliates included peasant unions like the Central Obrera Boliviana and indigenous organizations such as the Confederación Sindical Única de Trabajadores Campesinos de Bolivia while maintaining parallel structures to municipal bodies of El Alto and rural ayllus. Internal schisms produced rival leadership claiming legitimacy through convocations akin to those used by Movimiento Indígena networks.

Political Ideology and Goals

CONAMAQ advanced a platform combining indigenous autonomy, territorial rights, and anti-extractivist positions resonant with thinkers associated with Andean cosmovisions and movements like Pachakuti Indigenous Movement. Its demands referenced legal instruments such as the Plurinational State constitution debates and sought recognition similar to rights affirmed in the Constitution of Bolivia (2009). The organization articulated opposition to policies pursued by figures like Carlos Mesa and corporations involved in megaprojects, advocating collective land tenure for communities influenced by the legacy of Túpac Amaru II and regional autonomies asserted in Sucre and Cochabamba.

Activities and Campaigns

CONAMAQ organized marches, road blockades, and territorial assemblies that intersected with national strikes orchestrated by the Central Obrera Boliviana and civic committees of cities like Potosí and Sucre. Campaigns targeted projects including megamining by companies such as Comibol-linked ventures and protested concessions involving multinational firms like Pan American Silver. The council participated in international advocacy at forums attended by representatives of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and collaborated with indigenous networks across the Andes and Amazon Basin to address issues of water rights and ancestral restitution. During mass mobilizations CONAMAQ coordinated with social movements including the Cocalero unions and urban indigenous collectives from El Alto.

Relations with Bolivian Government and Other Movements

Relations with the Evo Morales administration were complex: initial alliances fractured over disagreements on extractive policy, territorial autonomy, and consultation procedures established under laws such as the Law of Prior Consultation. CONAMAQ both supported and opposed initiatives of the Movimiento al Socialismo at different moments, leading to confrontations with state institutions like the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and security forces including the Policía Boliviana. The council also entered strategic alliances and disputes with other indigenous federations such as the CIDOB and peasant confederations like the CSUTCB, negotiating positions on issues from constitutional reform to regional autonomy referendums in departments like Beni and Santa Cruz.

Impact and Controversies

CONAMAQ influenced debates on indigenous rights, contributing to constitutional recognition of indigenous autonomies and shaping national discourse on extractivism and consultation processes. Controversies involved internal splits leading to competing leadership claims, legal action by state prosecutors, and accusations involving confrontations during road blockades and protests that attracted attention from entities like the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Critics cited tensions with the Movimiento al Socialismo and alleged manipulation by political actors, while supporters highlighted victories in land titling and visibility for Ayllu governance models in places like Qullasuyu regions.

Legacy and Current Status

CONAMAQ's legacy includes the institutionalization of Ayllu and Marka political vocabularies in Bolivian public law and ongoing influence on community governance in highland territories from Lake Titicaca to the southern altiplano. Contemporary iterations of the council remain active in local assemblies, engage with international indigenous advocacy networks such as the Global Fund for Indigenous Peoples, and face challenges from state policies and market pressures involving corporations like Glencore and Vale. The organization's trajectory continues to inform scholarship on indigenous movements alongside studies of leaders like Felipe Quispe and debates concerning plurinationalism in Latin America.

Category:Indigenous organizations in Bolivia Category:Social movements in Bolivia