United Nations (UN) 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.
“The Secretary‑General is deeply concerned by reports of attacks in several locations across Mali,” the UN 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.
An Al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group announced Saturday that it had teamed up with rebels to launch one of the most intricate strikes in years in the poor West African country.
The terror group launched surprise dawn raids on the capital, Bamako, and other regions, while Tuareg rebels claimed control of the northern city, Kidal.
Guterres “strongly condemns these acts of violence, expresses solidarity with the Malian people and stresses the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure,” the statement added.
He called for “robust security coordination and collaboration across the region.”
Since 2012, Mali has faced a security crisis, with attacks by Islamists, criminal groups, and separatists killing thousands and displacing tens of thousands.
The junta that took power in coups in 2020 and 2021 claimed it was doing so to more effectively combat the jihadists, yet attacks have continued.
