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 Go茂ta, 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 S茅var茅. 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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Traor茅 Amidou officially assumed his role as the new director general of C么te d'Ivoire 脡nergies CI-ENERGIES on Friday, July 24, 2026. The handover ceremony was overseen by Yves Konan, the chairman of the board of directors. Traor茅 Amidou succeeds Noumory Sidib茅, who led CI-ENERGIES for nearly five years. The board of directors commended Noumory Sidib茅 for his "remarkable work" during his tenure. They also expressed confidence in Traor茅 Amidou, urging him to continue the transformation of CI-ENERGIES and contribute to C么te d'Ivoire's ambition of becoming the energy hub of the sub-region. CI-ENERGIES is a public company responsible for managing and developing the electricity sector in C么te d'Ivoire.
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The Cocoa-Coffee Council initiated the free distribution of phytosanitary products to producers and the Agricultural Interprofessional Organization OIA Cocoa-Coffee for the current campaign. The official ceremony took place on July 24, 2026, in Du茅kou茅, with Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Mr. T茅n茅 Birahima OUATTARA, in attendance. As part of an agricultural investment program, the regulator acquired insecticides, fungicides, and fertilizers for the OIA Cocoa-Coffee and other farmer organizations. The goal is to maintain orchards and combat pests, insects, and diseases like brown rot. These distributed products are expected to treat approximately 1.5 million hectares of orchards. The Council clarified that this is a supplement to products producers purchase themselves, aiming to improve bean productivity and quality. The support program also includes the free distribution of improved "Mercedes" cocoa seeds and bush bags for commercialization. Additionally, through the Rural Investment Fund FIMR, the Cocoa-Coffee Council funds the reprofiling of village roads, access to drinking water, construction of health centers and classrooms, and distribution of school kits. These social actions benefit producers and their communities, enhancing their living conditions.