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Gunfire and explosions were reported in the capital Bamako on Saturday and around a large military base outside the capital, as well as in Gao and central areas, with gunfire continuing in the northern city of Kidal.
Attacks by Tuareg rebels who want to establish a breakaway ethnic state have focused on the north while armed groups affiliated with Al Qaeda and Islamic State have targeted cities across the country.
The country has been plagued by extremist violence for more than 14 years. The UN mission was deployed in 2013 following an uprising by separatist rebels seeking control of the north, and a failed coup.
Mali’s current military government – in power since two coups launched in the early 2020s – reportedly said late Saturday that it had launched a successful counteroffensive, killing hundreds of rebels.
Military ruler President Assimi Goïta came to power in 2021 vowing to restore security against the increasing control of armed groups in the northern and central regions.
He remains in control of military forces but Al Jazeera reported on Sunday that Defense Minister General Sadio Camara was killed in a coordinated attack on Saturday.
Guterres ‘very concerned’
UN Secretary General António Guterres said in a statement issued on Saturday evening that he was “deeply concerned” about the attacks in Mali.
“He strongly condemned these acts of violence, expressed his solidarity with the Malian people and stressed the need to protect civilians. and civil infrastructure.”
That Security Council-United Nations mandated peacekeeping missions, MINUSMAwithdrew completely in 2023 after being asked to leave by the military government, worsening security conditions in the country.
In 2022, French troops and the European Union Training Mission were also ordered out by the leadership in Bamako, which remains supported by Russian mercenaries in its stabilization efforts.
‘Our thoughts are with all civilians’
UN humanitarian operations continuing in Malicoordinated based on a needs and response plan targeting assistance to approximately 3.8 million people out of more than five million people in need.
The top UN official in Mali who coordinates the organization’s work within the country, Hanaa Hamdy-Singersaid in a social media post on Sunday: “Our thoughts go out to all affected civilians, especially those who have faced great hardship and now face new challenges.”
He added that the UN “remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting civilians in need and will continue to monitor developments.”
In recent years, extremist groups – particularly al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM – have continued to encroach on the wider Sahel region, targeting civilians, as well as economic centers and trade routes.
‘Strong’ coordination required
In light of the attacks that occurred this weekend in Mali, the UN Secretary General called for further action “coordinated international support to address the growing threat of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel,” and so that urgent humanitarian needs can be better addressed.
“He reiterated his call for strong security coordination and collaboration across the region,” the statement concluded.
