Title: A new attack against the Malian army raises fears of an escalation of violence
Introduction :
In a context marked by persistent insecurity in Mali, a new attack against the Malian army took place this Sunday, October 1 in the locality of Bamba, located in the Gao region. The heavily armed attackers targeted a military camp, then claiming to have taken control of it. This attack, which follows a previous attack in early September, raises concerns about the deterioration of the security situation in the country. In this article, we will review the details of the attack and analyze the inability of international mediation to ease tensions.
Details of the attack:
The attackers launched their attack early in the morning, targeting a Malian army camp located in the town of Bamba. Witnesses confirmed seeing the ex-Malian rebels inside the army position, before they left the scene with military equipment. Gunshots were heard and intense fighting was reported. The Malian army quickly reacted by declaring that fighting had taken place against terrorists.
The inability of international mediation to ease tensions:
Despite the growing concerns of the Algiers Peace Agreement Monitoring Committee, the security situation continues to deteriorate in Mali. Indeed, the UN Mission in Mali (Minusma), member of the Monitoring Committee, can no longer write official press releases to try to ease tensions. Its sole mandate is now to secure the withdrawal of all peacekeepers from Malian territory before the end of the year.
Algeria, the lead mediator as host country of the 2015 peace deal, also appears to be struggling to resolve the crisis. Despite all the efforts made by this neighboring country, the guns continue to ring and the peace agreement is undermined. The Malian government is seeking to regain control of all military camps in the country, particularly those in the Kidal region, currently in the hands of ex-rebels. Armed groups, for their part, seek to extend their influence southward.
Conclusion :
The recent attack against the Malian army in Bamba highlights the rise in violence in Mali and the inability of international mediation to bring stability. The deterioration of the security situation is increasingly worrying the international community, while armed groups seem to benefit from increasingly sophisticated war equipment. It is urgent to find lasting solutions to end this spiral of violence and preserve peace in Mali.