Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga has appealed to Malians to stay calm and avoid panic after coordinated strikes by jihadist fighters and Tuareg separatists resulted in the capture of the northern strategic town of Kidal and the killing of the country’s defence minister.
During a visit to injured soldiers in Kati, Maiga cautioned that the attackers’ objective was to “seize power by dismantling the institutions of the Republic.”
In remarks broadcast on national television ORTM, he stressed that Mali would not be intimidated, adding that the armed forces were analysing the attack in order to reinforce national security measures.
Kidal taken in major setback for ruling junta
After two days of heavy clashes, jihadist groups alongside Tuareg separatists succeeded in taking control of Kidal.
The loss of the key northern town long associated with resistance movements represents a serious blow to the military authorities.
Officials in the area confirmed that Malian troops, together with Russian partners, pulled back as fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and the Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM advanced and occupied the town.
Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed on Saturday in a car bomb explosion, while junta leader General Assimi Goita has remained out of public view since the fighting began, deepening concerns over political uncertainty.
Coordinated assaults reach outskirts of capital
Over the weekend, multiple sensitive locations around Bamako and nearby Kati were targeted in the offensive.
Eyewitnesses reported military convoys withdrawing from Kidal, while two explosions were later heard close to Bamako’s airport on Monday night. Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the blasts.
Calm but tense atmosphere in Bamako and Kati
Despite the crisis, normal activity resumed in the capital on Monday, with schools and workplaces reopening.
Security checkpoints near key military installations were removed, although armed personnel remained visibly deployed across strategic areas.
At Bamako’s airport, only military flights were observed operating.
Crisis draws comparisons to 2012 unrest
Security experts describe the situation as the most serious test of state control since the 2012 insurgency, which was later reversed with support from France whose forces have since exited the Sahel region.
The opposition group Coalition of Forces for the Republic has warned that the country is “in danger,” arguing that the scale of the recent attacks has undermined the junta’s promises of restoring stability and security.