Mali: Jihadist attacks continue as military leaders finalize election date

As reported by the Anadolu Agency (AA) on 13 June 2022, an armed group killed 8 people and wounded 8 others in an attack at a checkpoint in the city of Koutiala in southern Mali on 10 June. This attack comes less than a month after an Italian family and a Togolese citizen were abducted by an unidentified group in the same area. Meanwhile, the military leadership in Mali announced on 6 June 2022 that it now plans only a two-year transition period before returning the country to civilian democratic rule (AA, 7 June 2022). This comes on the heels of heightened tensions including sanctions and land and air border closures by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

World Watch Research analyst Yonas Dembele explains: “The military leaders had initially promised to hold elections in February 2022, but changed their mind, declaring in December 2021 that elections would not be held until December 2026, which resulted in tough sanctions being imposed (Africa News, 10 January 2022). The duration of the transition is now set at 24 months starting from 26 March 2022, so that elections can be held in 2024.”

Yonas Dembele continues: “The political tensions are being exacerbated by the continual jihadist violence. The attack on 10 June illustrates three things: i) How vulnerable Mali and indeed other Sahel countries are to jihadism; ii) How persistent the radical Islamic groups are proving to be; iii) How capable the jihadists have become to be confident enough to attack even well secured military outposts. All this means that civilians who are not protected are liable to be attacked. Those who are not Muslim are at particular risk since they are increasingly being targeted for attack, forced marriage and conversion.”