RECAP: Is Mali winning the war on terror? — GSW Exclusive with Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop
Mali has been entangled in a violent conflict for over a decade, battling extremist groups aligned with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
In April, Global South World interviewed Mali’s Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, during the Crans Montana Forum in Casablanca, Morocco. Diop stated that Mali was reclaiming control over its future and “winning the war on terror”.
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However, subsequent reports show an increase in terrorist activity across the Sahel. Armed groups continue to grow in strength and territorial reach, leading to instability across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These three countries formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in 2023 as part of a collective defence initiative.
United Nations reports highlight widespread violence, noting that entire communities have been displaced in Burkina Faso, northern Mali, and western Niger. This displacement stems from continued clashes between armed groups, intercommunal violence, and military operations.
In Mali, the Security Council reports that Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, has launched attacks on over 100 fuel tankers and abducted fuel truck drivers near the capital, Bamako, and other locations.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
