The African Union (AU) has condemned the coordinated terrorist attacks that targeted several communities across northern, central and southern Mali over the weekend.
In a statement issued on Monday, Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, strongly denounced the attacks, describing them as a reminder of the persistent threat posed by terrorism and violent extremism across the Sahel and the African continent.
“These attacks are a stark reminder that terrorism and violent extremism continue to pose a serious threat to Mali, the Sahel and the African continent as a whole,” Youssouf said.
He stressed that the attacks highlighted the need for stronger collective action to promote peace, security and stability while ensuring the protection of civilians.
Youssouf reaffirmed the AU’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Malian government, as well as regional and continental initiatives aimed at combating terrorism and fostering lasting peace and stability in Mali and the wider Sahel region.
He also expressed the AU’s solidarity with the government and people of Mali, extending condolences to the families of those killed and sympathy to everyone affected by the attacks.
The Malian Armed Forces said on Saturday that coordinated assaults on several military positions had been repelled and that the security situation was “fully under control.”
Mali has grappled with years of insecurity, with armed groups frequently carrying out attacks, particularly in the country’s northern and central regions.
In April, Mali’s Defence Minister, Sadio Camara, was killed when armed terrorist groups attacked his residence in the town of Kati, near the capital, Bamako.
