Gunfire reported in multiple Malian localities, including Kati, near junta leader's residence
via SeneNews1 min read
Gunfire was heard Saturday morning in several areas of Mali, including Kati, near the capital Bamako, which houses the residence of junta leader General Assimi Goïta. Witnesses, a security source, and an elected official confirmed the reports. In addition to Kati, the as-yet unclaimed detonations were heard in Gao, the largest city in northern Mali, and Sévaré, in the center of the Sahelian country. Mali has been grappling with over a decade of conflict and jihadist violence. The country has been led by military officers who came to power through two coups in 2020 and 2021. Since 2012, Mali has faced a deep security crisis fueled by violence from jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State organization, as well as criminal community groups and separatists. The Malian military regime, like its neighbors Niger and Burkina Faso, also led by juntas, has distanced itself from France and several Western partners to strengthen political and military ties with Russia. The Wagner Group, which supported the Malian state in its anti-jihadist fight since 2021, announced the end of its mission in June 2025 and has since become Africa Corps, an organization under the direct control of the Russian Ministry of Defense. The military has implemented repressive measures against the press and critical voices. They have also dissolved political parties and political organizations. The Malian junta had pledged to return power to civilians by March 2024 at the latest but has sinc
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
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