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Large-scale attacks in Mali by JNIM and Tuareg rebels
Over the weekend, Mali witnessed coordinated large-scale attacks by the jihadist militia Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa-l-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Tuareg rebel alliance FLA. On Tuesday, junta leader and interim president Assimi Goïta addressed the attacks for the first time in a national broadcast on state television, describing the situation as “extremely serious” but “under control”. He announced that military operations would continue until the groups involved had been neutralised. Meanwhile, JNIM threatened in a video message with a possible siege of the capital, Bamako. A spokesperson for the FLA stated on Wednesday that the group was aiming to take control of Gao, Timbuktu and Menaka, and called for the complete withdrawal of Russia from the country.
The joint attacks targeted strategic locations across different parts of the country, including Kidal and Gao in the north-east and east respectively, Mopti and Sévaré in the centre, as well as Bamako, where attacks included strikes on the international airport. Numerous attacks also occurred in the city of Kati, adjacent to the capital and home to the largest base of the Malian army. At least 23 people were killed, including Defence Minister Sadio Camara, who died in a suicide attack on his residence. Camara was regarded as the second most powerful figure after Goïta and as one of the key leaders of the military junta. He also played a central role in building relations with Russia. Residences belonging to Goïta were also targeted. On Saturday evening, the Malian authorities imposed a night-time curfew and set up roadblocks in front of police stations, the armed forces’ general staff headquarters and the state television building. In the north of the country, separatist Tuareg rebel groups also took control of the former rebel stronghold of Kidal, which the Malian army had only recaptured in 2023 with the support of the Russian Wagner Group. Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday the withdrawal of the Africa Corps from the city, while the Malian army also partially withdrew from the Gao region near the border with Niger.
The United Nations, the European Union, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) strongly condemned the attacks in Mali. The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Mali as well as the fellow military-led states Burkina Faso and Niger, also condemned the attacks, describing them as a “monstrous plot supported by enemies of the Sahel’s liberation”. However, no concrete military support has been announced so far. Russia, meanwhile, reaffirmed its support for the Malian government. The country is considered Mali’s most important military partner after Goïta ordered the withdrawal of French troops in 2022, which until then had been the key ally in the fight against terrorism. The wave of attacks, along with the withdrawal of Russian forces from Kidal, has, according to observers, raised questions about the effectiveness of military cooperation with Russia. The FLA, meanwhile, is seeking support from France and is holding talks in Paris with representatives from the security and defence sector, according to media reports on Wednesday.
Analysts have described the attacks over the weekend as the largest in Mali for years. While some observers consider the cooperation between Tuareg rebels and the Al-Qaeda-backed JNIM to be surprising, others point to earlier phases of cooperation in 2012 before relations between the groups broke down. How sustainable this renewed cooperation will be, and what medium- and long-term implications it may have for the security situation in Mali and the wider Sahel region, remains to be seen.
DR Congo announces paramilitary unit for the mining sector
On Monday, the Congolese General Inspectorate of Mines (IGM) announced the establishment of a paramilitary unit to secure mining sites. The force is to be expanded to a strength of around 20,000 personnel by 2028 in order to curb smuggling and security risks in the mining sector and to boost investor confidence. The unit is to have a budget of US$100 million and will be established through strategic partnerships with, amongst others, the US and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The IGM did not provide further details on the source of the funding, but stated in a separate statement on Tuesday – following the US Embassy’s assertion that the US does not fund paramilitary forces to protect mines – that the funding does not come from direct financing by a single government, but rather from contributions by various stakeholders.
An initial contingent of around 2,500 to 3,000 personnel is expected to be operational as early as December this year; prior to this, a six-month training programme in collaboration with the military is planned. According to media reports, the first deployment is to take place in the resource-rich Katanga region, before the presence is expanded to all 22 mining provinces by 2028. The new unit’s tasks include securing the mines, escorting and safeguarding mineral transports from mining areas to processing plants and border posts. Protecting investments is also part of its remit. These tasks have hitherto been carried out predominantly by the police and the military. The measure is part of President Félix Tshisekedi’s government’s efforts to strictly regulate the mining sector, increase transparency, and combat smuggling and corruption.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo possesses significant mineral resources and is one of the world’s leading producers, particularly of critical minerals such as cobalt and copper. The country accounts for around 70% of the global cobalt supply, which is essential for battery production, and has significant gold and lithium deposits. Particularly in the east of the country, where a large proportion of these mineral deposits are located, there have been repeated outbreaks of heavy fighting over the past few years between the M23 rebel group, supported by neighbouring Rwanda, and Congolese government forces. In December, Kinshasa and Kigali signed a peace agreement, brokered by the US, intended to bring an end to the hostilities (Press review CW 50/2025; Press review CW 27/2025). A direct peace agreement with the M23, for which negotiations are being conducted with the mediation of Qatar, has yet to be reached. In addition to security aspects, the so-called Washington Accord also includes an economic component relating to regional cooperation in the raw materials sector and the closer integration of the Congolese raw materials sector into international supply chains.
As part of the Washington Accord, the US and the DR Congo also signed an agreement on critical minerals, aimed at securing the supply of strategic raw materials to US industry and curbing China’s dominant position in the Congolese mining sector. A first concrete result of this cooperation is the takeover of the Congolese copper and cobalt producer Chemaf by the US-led company Virtus and its Indian partner Lloyds Metals in March this year. The resulting joint venture recently announced the full resumption of production at the Chemaf mines for early 2027.
In other news
The 18th edition of the “72 Hours of the Book” festival concluded on Saturday in the Guinean capital, Conakry. This year’s three-day festival focused on the theme of youth and digital technologies. Workshops and panel discussions addressed topics such as digital platforms as tools for promoting African literature and attracting young readers. Other highlights included a range of stage performances and the “Miss Literature” competition. Unlike traditional beauty pageants, this contest emphasises criteria such as intellect, creativity, and a love of reading. In this competition, dental student Aïssatou Kamano was crowned Miss Literature. The festival brought together writers, students, cultural enthusiasts and senior government officials. This year, it expanded its activities beyond the capital for the first time, holding events in Forécariah. The “72 Hours of the Book” festival is now regarded as a national symbol of Guinea’s cultural pride and plays an important role in promoting cultural engagement. Conakry was UNESCO World Book Capital in 2017 and was admitted to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2025.
Congratulations
The German Africa Foundation congratulates Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe on his victory at the London Marathon on Sunday with a historic time of under two hours!