United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday condemned “acts of violence” in Mali after jihadists and Tuareg rebels claimed attacks against the army across the junta-ruled Sahel state and is set to intervene through international support.
“The Secretary‑General is deeply concerned by reports of attacks in several locations across Mali,” his spokesman said in a statement.
“The Secretary-General calls for coordinated international support to address the evolving threat of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel and to meet urgent humanitarian needs,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric added.
What is happening in Mali?
A jihadist organization with ties to Al-Qaeda announced on Saturday that it had teamed up with rebels to carry out one of the most intricate strikes in the poor West African nation in years. The Tuareg rebels claimed to have taken control of the northern city of Kidal after the factions launched surprise dawn attacks near Bamako, the capital, and other areas.
The statement also stated that Guterres “strongly condemns these acts of violence, expresses sympathy with the Malian people and underscores the need to safeguard civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
Mali has had a security crisis since 2012, with thousands of people killed and tens of thousands displaced by attacks by jihadists, criminal organizations, and separatists.
ENigeria Newspaper gathered that although attacks have persisted, the junta that took over in coups in 2020 and 2021 claimed to be doing so to more successfully combat the jihadists.
