Stories from Mali

Akram Al-Karif stated that the responsibility for seeking peaceful solutions now lies with the military agency in Mali. Interim President Assimi Goïta is holding meetings with senior military officials to discuss security developments in Mali. The country is facing a partial siege in Bamako by organizations that have launched a series of attacks. These attacks have resulted in the loss of control over parts of the country. A military commander was reportedly killed by gunmen near his home. The government also confirmed that a 47-year-old man was killed last weekend by a booby-trapped package targeting his home in a suburb of the capital. The military government in Mali is struggling to end coordinated assaults by jihadists and Tuareg separatists that began over the weekend.

Malian political figures are coordinating to demand an end to current military power in the country. Some political personalities are currently imprisoned while others are operating from abroad. The group is calling for a transition to restore political processes in Mali. The coordination follows a period where military power has significantly reduced political activity in the country. Malian community leaders, religious figures, and traditional chiefs are calling for unified action to overthrow the military regime that has ruled since 2020. The group seeks a peaceful and comprehensive transition to establish a new Mali. This movement follows recent reports of increased instability and clashes involving armed groups.

An attack by the Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin armed group, which is linked to Al-Qaeda, resulted in more than 80 Russian deaths. The incident occurred following the deployment of Wagner Group forces to northern Mali to replace the previous French contingent. The source noted that no results have been observed since the Russian forces arrived in the region. An attack by a Wagner Group-linked armed group killed more than 80 Russians in northern Mali. The group, identified as Jimaat, Nusrat, Al-Islam, Wal, Muslimin, and Al-Qaeda-linked, carried out the assault. Reports of atrocities and mass killings have emerged since the transition. A reporter on the Cameroon border reported seeing two Russian mercenaries issuing orders to Central African army soldiers.

Malian Prime Minister General Abdoulaye Maïga addressed wounded military personnel following coordinated attacks by jihadist groups and the Azawad Liberation Front. Rebel leader Asim Ag Igoite has not been heard from since the takeover. While calm has reportedly returned to Bamako, the overall security situation remains uncertain. Defense Minister Sadio Kamara is reported dead and the intelligence chief was wounded as Kidal fell to rebels. Kidal has passed to rebel control and Asim Ag Igoite's status is unknown. The retreat follows the inability to secure key strongholds and the loss of territory in the region. The source noted that different Telegram channels are reporting conflicting details regarding the situation in Kidal. The status of Jeune leader Asim Igoita remains unknown as he has not been seen. Maïga paid tribute to Defense Minister Sadio Kamara, who was killed on Saturday.

Malian military forces were observed leaving the town of Tessit in northern Mali. This follows the withdrawal of elements from the Africa Corps, a Russian paramilitary group, from the town of Kidgal. The withdrawal occurred following an agreement with Tuareg militants, according to the report. The movement occurs amid a critical security situation in the region.

Terrorist activity in the Sahel region is expanding beyond Mali's borders, according to Hromadske Radio. The expansion follows the expulsion of French forces and the replacement of the Wagner Group with the Moscow-directed African Corps. Terrorist groups have been conducting ambushes on fuel convoys, leading to fuel shortages and panic in the capital. The African Corps, which is managed by Russian intelligence, is described as being less maneuverable and slower to react than previous forces. Terrorist armed groups have expanded their authority over Malian territory and gained power over the last two years. This includes the third attack on Bamako and Kati, which serves as an garrison, according to reports.

A government spokesperson announced that a vehicle laden with explosives targeted the home of Kamara in Tati, north of Bamako. Kamara engaged in a confrontation with the attackers but sustained severe injuries during the incident. The individual was transported to a hospital where they are currently fighting for their life. The attack occurred amid reported clashes in several cities and follows a 14% increase in European military spending in 2025. The victim's condition was reported as critical while receiving medical care.

The African Corps, which is managed from Moscow by intelligence services, has replaced the Wagner Group. The source stated the African Corps is less maneuverable and slower to react due to its vertical command structure. This transition follows incidents where fuel convoys were ambushed, leading to fuel shortages and panic in the capital. The situation caused instability in December when Russian-escorted convoys reached the capital. According to the report, the group receives payments in dollars from the Malian junta. This follows patterns in Central Africa where personnel are compensated through gold mining operations. A unit from Mali's African Corps has been in defensive combat for over 24 hours after being effectively surrounded. The unit reportedly repelled several attacks despite the encirclement.

A video showing the wreckage of an L-39 Albatros jet in the desert, allegedly shot down by fighters in Kidal, has been identified as footage from 2023. The clip surfaced amid conflicting reports regarding Malian military losses during recent clashes between the Malian army and combatants. The source noted that the footage actually depicts clashes that occurred in 2023. The clip was originally filmed during previous engagements in the region.

Prime Minister Abdullah Imaïga visited wounded military personnel on Monday. He addressed the press to pay tribute to Defense Minister Sadio Kamara, who died following a suicide attack. Imaïga attempted to reassure the population regarding the situation. General Asimi Goïta has not made a public statement following the incident and remains in Bamako.