September 18 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday condemned the attacks carried out by Al Qaeda’s branch in the Sahel against several military installations in the Malian capital, Bamako, which have resulted in an unspecified number of victims.
In a statement posted on its social media account, the organization expressed its “concern” over “reports of jihadist attacks” in Bamako and expressed its “sincere condolences” to the authorities and the population of Mali, as well as to the families of the victims.
“We reaffirm our firm condemnation of any terrorist attack that threatens the peace and security of the population of the West African region,” he said, before expressing his commitment to “any initiative aimed at peace, security and stability in the subregion.”
The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying that they had resulted in “heavy losses”, although the authorities have not yet commented on possible victims. The main targets attacked were the Gendarmerie School in Faladié and the Senou military camp, located near Bamako airport and where mercenaries from the Africa Corps – formerly known as the Wagner Group – are deployed.
The attack is the first major attack on Bamako since November 2015, when 20 people were killed during an assault by Al-Murabitoun – linked to Al-Qaeda – on a hotel. However, a military base located about 15 kilometres from the capital was targeted in July 2022, an attack carried out by JNIM. The junta leader Assimi Goita resided on the premises, so it was considered a significant blow, amid the approach of jihadist attacks on the capital.
The African country is currently ruled by a military junta installed after coups d’état in August 2020 and May 2021, both led by Goita, the current transitional president, who has been rapprochement with Russia while distancing himself from both France and Western governments, including his withdrawal in January – along with Burkina Faso and Niger – from the ranks of ECOWAS.
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