Mali

The recent series of military coups in the Sahel has led the EU to reassess its posture in the region. This Brief explores the challenges the EU faces in balancing strategic interests with its commitment to democratic values, and puts forward recommendations for future engagement in a region that remains critical for European security interests.

The African Union (AU) on Tuesday called for dialogue between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and junta-led countries Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso who have said they will leave the bloc.

Mali's junta has set up a committee to organise a national peace dialogue after it scrapped a key 2015 peace deal with northern separatist groups following months of hostilities.

Separatist Tuareg forces on Tuesday rejected the idea of a direct inter-Malian dialogue for peace and reconciliation put forward by the country's military rulers, after months of hostilities between rebels and the army.

Separatist Tuareg forces on Wednesday announced they had set up a blockade on the major roads in northern Mali, where the army has made inroads in recent weeks.

The United Nations mission in Mali officially ended its 10-year deployment in the country on Monday, in a pullout ordered by Mali's military leaders. … A "liquidation phase" will follow the withdrawal deadline of January 1, involving activities such as handing over equipment to the authorities. 

German troops have begun their withdrawal from Gao, as the United Nations continues to dismantle its peacekeeping mission in Mali before the end of the year.

Chad and Mauritania, the two remaining countries in a West African alliance set up to fight militant Islamists, have said they're paving the way to dissolve the group. They made the announcement after Burkina Faso and Niger quit the G5 Sahel group on Saturday and Mali quit in 2022.

Junta-led Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have ditched the G5 anti-jihadist force. Experts say their intended new confederation to tackle Islamist insurgents in the Sahel is bound to fail unless they mend ties with ECOWAS.

Mali's judiciary has announced an investigation into several ethnic separatists and Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist leaders for terrorism and money laundering, as security deteriorates in the country.