Mali: Fighting reported near Bamako and in the country's interior between army and "terrorist groups
via Abidjan.net10 min read
Fighting was reported on Saturday on the outskirts of Mali's capital, Bamako, and in several locations in the country's interior. The Malian army announced in a statement that "unidentified armed terrorist groups" attacked military barracks and other sites in the capital and inland early on April 25, 2026. Witnesses had previously reported assaults in various areas. In Bamako, streets were deserted, and intermittent explosions were heard around 9:00 AM local and GMT time, particularly near the 101 Senou base, which is also close to the airport. Helicopters were also seen flying over the capital. Intense gunfire was also heard in Kati, a town near Bamako that houses the residence of junta leader General Assimi Goïta, according to witnesses, a security source, and an elected official. Residents of Kati and the airport area posted images of damaged homes on social media, with one resident stating, "In Kati, we are still holed up." These attacks had not been claimed as of Saturday. Beyond Bamako and Kati, gunfire was also reported early Saturday in Gao, the largest city in northern Mali, Kidal in the same region, and Sévaré. Mali, a Sahelian country led by a junta, has faced over a decade of conflict and jihadist violence. The country has been led by military regimes since two coups in 2020 and 2021. Since 2012, Mali has been grappling with a severe security crisis fueled by jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, as well as community criminal groups and s
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Abidjan.net.
The Société Ivoirienne de Banque SIB hosted a high-level meeting on April 16, 2026, with corporate clients and partners from the mining, energy, and hydrocarbons sectors at Palais WIA. This event aimed to foster strategic dialogue and co-construction amidst significant transformations in extractive and energy industries, particularly concerning energy transition, financing structures, and increased demands for performance and sustainability. Mohamed El Ghazi, SIB's Director General, reiterated the bank's vision to be a strategic partner, emphasizing its commitment to supporting these vital sectors for the country's economic development. Yeo Bakary, Deputy Director General for Commercial Affairs, highlighted the bank's evolving relational model, focusing on enhanced client proximity and tailored solutions. Marc Bogler, Director of the Corporate Market, explained the bank's sector-specific approach to address the unique needs of these industries. Hassim Diarrassouba, Director of Specialized Financial Services, underscored SIB's engineering capabilities in providing customized and robust financial solutions aligned with international standards. The meeting facilitated active listening, experience sharing, and identifying new collaboration opportunities. SIB, a subsidiary of Attijariwafa bank since 2009, operates across Côte d'Ivoire with over 1000 employees, offering a range of products and services to individuals, businesses, institutions, and the Ivorian state.
Must ReadAmbassador Aly Touré, spokesperson for the Cocoa Producing Countries of the International Cocoa Organization ICCO, conducted a working visit to the Côte d'Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative ICCG in Accra, Ghana, on Monday, April 20, 2026. This visit is part of his consultations to address the challenges in the global cocoa economy. The Executive Secretary of the ICCG, Alex Assanvo, received Ambassador Touré, who was accompanied by Michel Arrion, Executive Director of the ICCO. The purpose of the visit was to gather insights, expertise, and advice from the head of the Initiative, particularly regarding the private sector, price-setting mechanisms, and production tools. This consultation is in preparation for meetings of the working group established by the ICCO Producers' College to analyze the market situation and the issue of prices, which often do not adequately compensate small-scale producers. The discussions also covered the challenges and questions related to the sustainability of the global cocoa economy, where producers are often the weakest link in the value chain. The visit follows the "Abidjan Declaration" of March 26, 2018, where President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d'Ivoire and former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana reaffirmed their commitment to defining a common and sustainable strategy for cocoa to increase prices for producers in their respective countries.
Must ReadSenegal's Bassirou Diomaye Faye has called for a reinvention of collective security on the African continent. This statement was made on Friday, April 24, 2026, and was reported by Abidjan.net TV.
The Ivorian Football Federation FIF officially presented sports equipment to Special Olympics Côte d’Ivoire SOCI on April 24, 2026, in preparation for the Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026. The ceremony, held at the FIF headquarters in Abidjan-Treichville, included Armand Gohourou, Executive Director of FIF, Eric Nelson Monnet, Executive Director of SOCI, and athlete leader Néné Fabiola. Eric Nelson Monnet thanked the FIF and its president, Yacine Idriss Diallo, for their consistent support, highlighting their contribution to Côte d’Ivoire's world title in women's football at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023. Néné Fabiola also expressed gratitude on behalf of the athletes, promising to represent the nation well. Armand Gohourou emphasized FIF's inclusive vision, stating that individuals with intellectual disabilities are integral to society and deserve attention, respect, and love. The donation included jerseys, bibs, shorts, and balls, aiming to support the Ivorian team's preparation for the event scheduled from July 6 to 11, 2026, and promote inclusion and solidarity through sport.