Two members of the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA), a group aligned with Mali’s ruling junta, lost their lives on Saturday when their motorbike struck an improvised explosive device (IED) in the northeastern region of the country. This information was confirmed in a statement released by the MSA from Menaka, the principal town in that area.
According to the statement, the deceased were providing security for a food convoy that was en route to Menaka when the tragic incident occurred. The MSA emphasized its continued support for the Malian armed forces in the face of ongoing security challenges.
The region of Azawad is significant as it represents a territory claimed by separatists in northern Mali. In a notable escalation of the conflict, the MSA had previously faced defeat in the region of Kidal in November 2023 at the hands of a military force aided by Russian mercenaries. Following this setback, many of the rebels retreated further north towards the Algerian border, positioning themselves to launch future attacks.
Mali has been grappling with a severe security crisis since 2012, largely spurred by the emergence of armed jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, as well as various criminal organizations. The nation has experienced political upheaval, enduring coups in both 2020 and 2021, which led to the establishment of a military junta currently at the helm of the government.
This junta has made commitments to restore order and combat the rise of violent extremist factions. However, despite these pledges and their intensified military operations—along with a shift in security collaborations towards Russia—jihadist violence continues to pose significant challenges to stability in the country. The ongoing situation raises concerns about the effectiveness of the junta’s strategies in addressing the deep-rooted security issues that Mali faces.
