Douentza Cercle is an administrative subdivision of the
Mopti Region of
Mali. The administrative center (chef-lieu) is the town of
Douentza.
During the
Tuareg rebellion of 2012, it was the southernmost part of the state of
Azawad, according to the April 2012
MNLA's territorial claim. From June 2012, it was claimed by a series of rival Islamist and local militias.
The route of the annual circular migration of the Gourma elephants crosses a number of communes in the cercles of Douentza and
Gourma-Rharous (
Tombouctou Region).[3][4][5]