October 7, 2024:
In neighboring Burkina Faso, al Qaeda JNIM Islamic terrorists based in Mali, attacked on the outskirts of Barsalogho town and shot dead over 500 civilians. Using Mali as a sanctuary made it possible for JNIM to plan and organize such a bold and devastating operation. The JNIM gunmen quickly returned unharmed to their Mali sanctuary.
Since the separatist rebellion in northern Mali were defeated in 2012, Mali has faced ongoing problems with corruption, tribal rivalries, and Islamic terrorism. This has prevented peace and prosperity. The situation got worse in 2021 with another military coup, the third since 2012, which this time stemmed from internal disputes within the military. It led to threats from foreign donors to reduce or halt economic aid, especially if the Mali government did not protect the aid and ensure that it reached the people who needed it most.
The problems with aid donors created frustration over corrupt politicians stealing or misappropriating foreign aid cash meant to support anti-terrorism and anti-separatist operations. The colonels in charge are reluctant to relinquish power and are attempting to achieve self-sufficiency despite the presence of UN peacekeepers and French troops dealing with the Islamic terrorism in the north.
The May 2021 coup ousted a civilian CNT leader, replacing him with a military colonel who then appointed pro-military officials. Despite criticism from foreign donors like France, the military threatened to seek alternative financial aid and managed to obtain the services of Russian mercenaries. Russia was interested in post-war economic deals with Mali and the Mali military government felt more comfortable dealing with the Russians than the French. Russia has supplied Mali with food and fertilizer and mercenaries to help deal with Tuareg separatists and Islamic terrorists in the north.
Over the last decade the Islamic terrorists have been operating closer and closer to the capital Bamako. In September 2024 there was an attack on a military base and the airport outside Bamako. Some aircraft were set on fire. The army captured fifteen of the attackers. In July about forty Russian mercenaries were ambushed and killed in the north near the Algerian border. A Tuareg militia carried out the attack during a sandstorm.
The coup leaders have utilized Mali's gold mines as a resource, though this has also led to protests and security crackdowns. Russia is helping Mali expand gold production The Russian presence is not welcome except to the army officers running the military government. The Tuaregs and local Islamic terror groups are particularly hostile to the Russian presence. The military government and their Russian allies have taken heavy losses recently but still control most of the country. This won’t last because popular unrest caused by growing poverty and violence is threatening the military government.