By Zagazola Makama
Mali is facing an unprecedented security crisis as terrorist attacks surge across the country, exposing the military junta’s inability to contain the growing threats. Once perceived as a force capable of restoring stability, the ruling military leaders now struggle to keep control as jihadist groups, particularly the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), tighten their grip around the capital, Bamako.
In just one week, 16 attacks have been recorded across the country. JNIM, an al-Qaeda-affiliated group, has launched coordinated assaults in multiple regions: one attack in Kidal, two in Ségou, one in Sikasso, six along major routes leading to Bamako, and five in the southern part of the country on March 25, targeting Tamani, Baraouéli, Sonbougou, Doura, Keleya, and Diola. These incidents mark an alarming escalation in violence, particularly in the south, which had long been considered a safe zone.
Bamako, Mali’s political and economic heart, is increasingly vulnerable. Over the past week, all major highways leading to the capital have come under attack, with some roads completely cut off. Fear is spreading, and government officials reportedly avoid traveling beyond 100 kilometers from the city due to security concerns.
The rise in intercommunal violence has further complicated the situation. In Ouélessébougou, a Fulani village was set ablaze by an angry mob, underscoring rising ethnic tensions that the government appears unable or unwilling to address.
Meanwhile, heavy gunfire has been reported in Kidal, but no clear explanation has been provided. In Baraouéli and Tamani, local gendarmerie stations have come under relentless attacks by the Katiba Macina, a JNIM subgroup. The south, once a symbol of stability, has now become a battlefield where armed groups operate with increasing confidence, spreading terror among residents.
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A Nation in Freefall
With the north in turmoil, the center ungoverned, and the south now in flames, Mali is teetering on the edge of collapse. The junta, which came to power promising security, appears powerless as jihadists expand their influence. The military’s failure to halt their advance has left civilians in a state of panic, with many choosing to flee rather than risk staying in a country descending into chaos. Bamako, the last stronghold of government control, is now at risk of being encircled. If current trends continue, security experts warn that the city could face siege-like conditions, with militants tightening their hold on supply routes and access points.
The situation has fueled growing skepticism about the junta’s ability to govern. Despite repeated assurances of stability, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Promises of security ring hollow as armed groups gain ground, and the government struggles to mount an effective response.
The Road Ahead
Mali is now at a critical juncture. Without a decisive and well coordinated counteroffensive, the country risks descending further into instability. Without urgent intervention, Bamako could become the next focal point of insurgent activity, potentially leading to a broader national crisis.
Zagazola Makakama is a security analyst and a counter insurgency expert
