Mali

Several Malian soldiers died on Wednesday in a large-scale attack by suspected jihadists on a military outpost in the remote west of the landlocked West African nation.

In northern Mali, fighting has resumed between armed groups signatory to the 2015 peace agreement and government forces, even as clashes with jihadists continue. Bamako’s initiative for an inter-Malian dialogue constitutes an opportunity to restore calm.

Mali has reaffirmed its exit "without delay" from the West African bloc Ecowas, saying it is not bound by the organisation's one-year timeframe for withdrawal. Burkina Faso and Niger also said they intend to follow suit.

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.