Attacks by Tuareg rebels seeking to establish a breakaway ethnic state focused on northern areas, while armed groups affiliated with Al Qaeda and ISIL had attacked 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 a quickly put down insurrection by separatist rebels trying to take control of the north and a subsequent failed coup.
Mali’s current military government, in power since two coups in the early 2020s, reportedly said Saturday night that it had launched a successful counteroffensive, killing hundreds of insurgents.
Military President Assimi Goïta came to power in 2021 promising to restore security against the growing control of armed groups in the northern and central regions.
It remains in control of the military forces, but Aljazeera reports Sunday that Defense Minister Gen. Sadio Camara was killed during Saturday’s coordinated attacks.
Guterres ‘deeply concerned’
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement issued Saturday night that he was “deeply concerned” about the attacks across Mali.
“It strongly condemns these acts of violence, expresses its solidarity with the Malian people and underlines the need to protect civilians. and civil infrastructure.”
The Security Council-mandated UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSMA, withdrew completely in 2023 after the military government asked it to withdraw, worsening security conditions in the country.
In 2022, Bamako leaders also ordered the withdrawal of French forces and the European Union Training Mission, which has retained the support of Russian mercenaries in its stabilization efforts.
‘Our thoughts are with all civilians’
UN humanitarian operations continue in Mali, coordinated under a needs and response plan that aims to provide support to around 3.8 million people out of more than five million in need.
The top UN official in Mali who coordinates the organization’s work within the country, Hanaa Hamdy-Singer, said in a social media post on Sunday: “Our thoughts are with all affected civilians, particularly those who have already faced significant hardship. and now face new challenges.”
He added that the United Nations “remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting civilians in need and will continue to closely monitor developments.”
In recent years, extremist groups – particularly the Al Qaeda-affiliated JNIM – have continued to invade territories throughout the Sahel region, attacking civilians as well as economic centers and trade routes.
“Robust” coordination is needed
In light of this weekend’s attacks in Mali, the UN chief called for more “coordinated international support to address the evolving threat of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel,” and to better address urgent humanitarian needs.
“It reiterates its call for strong security coordination and collaboration throughout the region,” the statement concluded.