Mali

Violent Clashes Erupt Between Malian Army and Azawad Rebels In a fresh wave of conflict, skirmishes erupted on Thursday afternoon along the Mali-Algeria border. The Malian army, bolstered by its Wagner Group allies, tangled with the Azawad people's rebels of the CSP-DPA (Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad) near Tinzaouatene. This volatile region has seen increased military activities as the Fama family patrols the area consistently. Earlier this week, the Malian military proclaimed control over…

Clément Dembélé's Release Blocked by Bamako Court of Appeal Amidst growing tension, the Bamako Court of Appeal has denied Clément Dembélé's release. The decision, handed down on Tuesday, was confirmed to RFI by Dembélé's close associates on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. Dembélé, a prominent figure in civil society known for his fervent battle against corruption, remains behind bars. He was imprisoned back in November 2023 after a social media video surfaced, allegedly featuring him making threats against the interim leader,…

Mali's Charter of Peace and Reconciliation: An Overview In Mali, the freshly minted commission tasked with drafting a "Charter of Peace and Reconciliation" kicked off its mission this week. This commission, formed last month, has already met with the nation's traditional and religious leaders on Monday, July 22. The subsequent day, political parties were brought in for consultations. However, all these efforts have been somewhat overshadowed. The political landscape remains marred by ongoing calls for the release of…

Sickening Tape Evidence of Soldiers Engaging in Cannibalism in Mali and Burkina Faso Newly surfaced videos depicting soldiers partaking in cannibalism in Mali and Burkina Faso have been making rounds on social networks for the past several days. The first clip, which aired on July 16, created a significant uproar in Mali. This was promptly followed by another video at the end of the week, introducing additional distressing footage. Over the past weekend, several similar videos have emerged, this time showcasing Burkinabe…

Rise in Abductions Under Sahel Military Regimes In the Sahel region, where military juntas hold power, a disturbing trend is emerging: the mysterious disappearances of dissidents. Human rights activists, trade unionists, religious figures, journalists, and soldiers vanish without a trace, caught outside any semblance of legal processes. Take Lieutenant Colonel Yves Didier Bamouni from Burkina Faso, for instance. "He's been missing since July 13," notes Jeune Afrique. Armed, masked men reportedly apprehended him…

Tragic Incident Claims Twenty Lives in Mali On Sunday, July 21, an attack resulted in the deaths of around 20 villagers in Dembo, located within the Dimbal municipality near Bankass in central Mali. Although no group has officially taken responsibility for the assault, local informants who spoke to RFI indicate that the perpetrators are likely associated with the Islam and Muslim Support Group, an organization linked to al-Qaeda. This group exerts control over numerous villages in the region and frequently orchestrates…

Worldwide Tributes for Toumani Diabaté: A Legend Remembered On the somber day of Friday, July 19, the world mourned the loss of Toumani Diabaté. The illustrious Malian musician, who captivated hearts with his mastery of the kora, passed away at 58 in Bamako. He was laid to rest the following day, Saturday, July 20. Known far and wide as the "god of the kora," Diabaté was instrumental in bringing this traditional West African harp to global prominence. By blending its melodic strings into diverse musical landscapes, both…

Political Parties in Mali Unify to Demand Release of Detained Leaders On Monday, nearly every political faction in Mali announced a boycott of any discourse with the interim government. Their unified declaration on March 31 called for a return to constitutional rule. These parties have vowed to abstain from discussions until the eleven politicians, detained on June 20, 2024, are set free. These individuals face charges related to resisting legitimate authority. Despite these tensions, there has been some movement.…

Disturbing Video of Alleged Cannibalism by Malian Soldier Sparks Outrage A chilling video that surfaced on social media yesterday has sent shockwaves through Mali and beyond. The footage reveals an individual dressed in a Malian military uniform dismembering a body and consuming its liver. These deeply unsettling images have provoked profound concerns about the potential occurrence of cannibalism among Malian troops.

Bamako Faces Political Turmoil Amidst Military Tensions Bamako is witnessing a persistent clash between military rulers and political factions. "Political parties insist on the release of their comrades before any talks can proceed," reports Africa.com. They call this detention a "freedom-strangling act impeding open dialogue." Furthermore, they see last week's lift on suspension of their activities as belated and insufficient. As the Pan-African website notes, the objective of Malian political groups is clear: a peaceful…