Assimi Goita, the leader of Mali’s military government, made his first public appearance on Tuesday since insurgents carried out coordinated weekend attacks, pledging in a televised address to “neutralize” those responsible.
West Africa’s al Qaeda affiliate and a Tuareg-dominated separatist group hit Mali’s main army base and the area near Bamako’s airport in the attacks on Saturday, while also pushing Russian troops supporting government forces out of the strategic town of Kidal in the north.
The attacks have triggered a scramble for territory across Mali’s vast desert north, raising the prospect of significant gains by armed groups that have shown an increasing willingness to strike neighbouring countries and, analysts say, could eventually set their sights further afield.
Defence Minister Killed
Mali’s defence minister, Sadio Camara, was killed in Saturday’s attacks. Goita had not been seen until his office on Tuesday afternoon published pictures of him meeting the Russian ambassador, Igor Gromyko.
The two men “discussed the current situation and the strong partnership between Bamako and Moscow”, and Gromyko “reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Mali in the fight against international terrorism,” a social media post from Goita’s office said.
Goita also visited a hospital where people wounded in Saturday’s attacks were receiving treatment, and expressed condolences to Camara’s family, his office said.
He then delivered a brief address on the evening news in which he declared that “the situation is under control” and said operations would continue until they achieved “the complete neutralization of the groups involved” in the attacks.
The scale of the offensive, which hit multiple sites across the West African country, demonstrated an unprecedented ability by groups with differing objectives to work together and strike at the heart of the military government.
Militants Threaten Siege Of Capital
In a video message distributed on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the al Qaeda affiliate, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), boasted about Saturday’s violence and described it as revenge for drone strikes and other attacks perpetrated by Malian forces.
The spokesperson, Bina Diarra, also threatened to implement a siege of Bamako, a city of 4 million people.
JNIM imposed a fuel blockade of Bamako last year, but it had eased in the period leading up to Saturday’s attacks.
Russia Says Insurgents Regrouping
Russia said jihadi and separatist forces in Mali were regrouping after its troops helped foil what it described as a coup attempt on Saturday, preventing insurgents from seizing key sites including the presidential palace.
The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces are conducting reconnaissance to target militant camps and remain ready to repel further attacks, as Moscow seeks to reinforce its role as a security partner in Africa after Mali turned to it following the expulsion of French and U.N. troops.
Islamic State Fighters Enter Northeastern Town
As Malian forces moved to defend the north, fighters from Islamic State in the Sahel Province entered the northeastern town of Menaka near the Niger border, according to multiple sources.
The group, not involved in Saturday’s clashes, was seen setting up checkpoints and moving through the town without direct fighting, while Malian troops pulled back to a nearby camp.
ISSP has long been in conflict with JNIM, with hundreds of clashes since 2019 causing over 2,100 deaths.
(With inputs from Reuters)
