Mali celebrates Kidal recapture as supporters wave Russian flags in Bamako
Key Takeaways
- Mali's military regains control of the strategic northern city following an offensive supported by Russian forces.
- Supporters wave Russian flags and rally behind the Malian army, calling for peace.
- The FLA reports a strategic withdrawal, while separatist and jihadist groups remain active in northern Mali.
Crowds gathered in Mali's capital to celebrate the army's return to the strategic northern city of Kidal following an offensive supported by Russia's Africa Corps.
Russian flags filled parts of Bamako on Thursday as supporters of Mali's Armed Forces (FAMa) gathered to celebrate the military's recapture of Kidal, a strategic northern city at the centre of the country's long-running conflict.
The demonstration followed an announcement by Mali's military on October 6 that government forces had regained control of Kidal after an offensive supported by Russia's Africa Corps.
At the Bourse du Travail in Bamako, demonstrators waved Russian flags, carried banners supporting the Malian army and displayed posters calling for peace and reconciliation.
Participants applauded speeches, while one man danced on top of a vehicle as music played.
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Political activist Seydou Diakite described Kidal's recapture as an important development in efforts to restore stability across Mali.
"The whole problem in Mali lies in Kidal. Kidal is still a place where political actors go to, in my view, plot things that subsequently destabilise the situation in Bamako. If we manage to retake Kidal, it will be a sign that peace is on the horizon. Today, we are seeking peace, because without peace, we cannot tackle the challenges of development," he said.
The northern city has repeatedly changed hands between government troops and armed groups, making it a key location in Mali's efforts to regain control of its territory.
Malian forces initially recaptured Kidal in November 2023 but lost the city again in April 2026 to the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and fighters from the al-Qaeda-linked group JNIM.
The latest military offensive received support from Russia's Africa Corps, which replaced the Wagner group in Mali in 2025.
Military widow Cisse Animata Kone was among those who joined Thursday's gathering to express support for the army.
"We have come for Mali and to support the recapture of Kidal. We have come to demonstrate our patriotism to the Malian people," she said.
The FLA confirmed that its fighters had withdrawn from Kidal on October 6, describing the move as a 'strategic withdrawal' following intense airstrikes by Malian and Russian forces.
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The group said the decision was intended to prevent further casualties.
Government troops subsequently entered Kidal without direct fighting inside the city.
Despite the recapture, separatist and jihadist groups remain active in other parts of northern Mali.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
