Combat has once again taken place on Sunday, April 26, between the Malian army, supported by Russian mercenaries, and allied jihadists separatists close to the capital and in the north of the country, after coordinated attacks the day before against the ruling junta, resulting in the death of Defense Minister Sadio Camara, 47, in an attack led by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) on his residence.
The junta leader, General Assimi Goïta, has not been seen, nor has he spoken since the beginning of hostilities. Malian security sources indicated that he has been “exfiltrated from Kati on Saturday and is now in a safe place”. However, many observers are surprised by his silence, as well as that of the two other junta members from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a coalition that includes Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
An “agreement” reached with Russian soldiers
Following the battles that started on Sunday in northern Mali, JNIM and Tuareg rebels announced that they have reached an “agreement” allowing Russian soldiers of the Africa Corps, the new name of the Wagner Group, to withdraw from Kidal, which they say is “now under their complete control” . According to a diplomatic source who spoke at midday, “the Russian fighters in Kidal have decided to leave their position” and are “coordinating with FLA rebels on their departure” .
Kidal was retaken in November 2023 by the Malian army, supported by Russian paramilitary fighters from Wagner, putting an end to over a decade of control by rebel groups. Additionally, the FLA claims to have taken control of several positions in the Gao region in the north.
“The jihadists are heading towards the hill”
In a statement released on Saturday evening, JNIM, which has been fighting against the military in power in Bamako for years, proclaimed “victory” following these attacks. It claims to “assume responsibility” for the assaults targeting on Saturday “the headquarters of Malian President Assimi Goïta, the headquarters of Malian Defense Minister Sadio Camara, the Bamako international airport, and military sites in the city of Kati” .
In Kati, a military town and stronghold of the ruling junta since 2020, “sporadic and at times intense gunfire” was heard on Sunday, according to residents. “The fighting resumed [in the morning] everywhere. The jihadists are heading towards the hill above the city,” said a resident. “The air force has also entered the battle,” said another.
