Mali

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.

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have announced a deal with Russia which will see them acquire telecoms and surveillance satellites.

The recent militant Islamist attack in Bamako is part of a broader push by violent extremist groups into southern Mali and reflective of the deteriorating security in Mali under military rule.