Mali

Nine civilians including women and children were killed in an attack on a vehicle in Mali's Segou region last week, a civil society group and a rebel coalition said late Saturday, accusing the army and Russian mercenaries of being responsible.

[…] Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger plan to withdraw from Ecowas in January after refusing the bloc's demand to restore democratic rule. … In the period between 29 January and 29 July 2025, the trio can be readmitted to the bloc should they decide to rejoin the community, a communique from Ecowas noted.

Mali’s armed forces, supported by Russian mercenaries, committed abuses against civilians since the withdrawal of a U.N. peacekeeping mission late last year, Human Rights Watch said in a report released Thursday.

Since taking power in 2021, Mali’s rulers have put the recovery of state sovereignty at the heart of the government’s approach to security, diplomacy and the economy. But as they struggle to meet public expectations to reduce violence and face a financial squeeze, they should explore ways to adjust their approach.

Mali's military leader has sacked the Prime Minister, Choguel Kokalla Maïga, and his government. It follows rare criticism by Maïga of the junta's lack of clarity about a once-promised return to democracy. 

Choguel Kokalla Maiga lost the job a day earlier following his criticism of the military leaders. New PM General Abdoulaye Maiga had until now served as the government's spokesman. 

[…] European governments should stay involved in the Sahel wherever possible. The region is part of Europe’s neighbourhood; rival outside powers have no qualms about mass human-rights abuses; and further disengagement will only open up new inroads for malign actors.

Morocco's Atlantic Initiative seeks to transform the geostrategic landscape of the Sahel and Sub-Saharan regions amid a wave of coups fueled by economic and social decline.

Le ministre malien de l’Économie, Alousséni Sanou, a souligné l’importance d’une nouvelle orientation stratégique pour le Mali. 

European governments are divided on how to respond to West Africa becoming the world’s terrorism hotspot, with European nations who receive most migrants favouring to keep communication with the juntas open.