Mali faces arrests in Bamako and new army chief amid jihadist and Tuareg attacks
via SeneNews7 min read
Mali is experiencing a wave of arrests and "kidnappings" of opposition figures and military personnel in Bamako following coordinated attacks by jihadists and Tuareg separatists in late April. The attacks, carried out by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims JNIM and the Azawad Liberation Front FLA, have led to several northern towns and localities falling under the control of jihadists and their FLA allies. The Minister of Defense, Sadio Camara, was killed in a suicide attack in Kati and has been replaced by junta leader Assimi Goïta, who now holds both positions. The junta has appointed General Elisé Jean Dao as the new Chief of Staff of the Armies, replacing General Oumar Diarra. Security and judicial sources indicate that several opponents, including Me Mountaga Tall, Youssouf Daba Diawara, and Moussa Djiré, have been "kidnapped." Me Tall is suspected of plotting with opponents in Dakar to overthrow the military regime, while Diawara and Djiré are suspected of links to exiled opposition figures Imam Mahmoud Dicko and Omar Mariko. The military prosecutor's office announced arrests of soldiers for alleged complicity in the April 25 attacks. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern over reports of extrajudicial executions and kidnappings by security forces. A jihadist blockade on key routes to Bamako, effective since April 30, is causing significant disruption to road transport and trade, with drivers refusing to travel without security escort
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