Latest Articles about Mali
Briefs
Al-Qaeda’s Malian Affiliate Targets Russia’s Wagner Group Jacob Zenn On April 25, the al-Qaeda affiliate in Mali, Group for Supporters of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), claimed that it kidnapped Russian Wagner Group “soldiers” in Segou (Twitter/@Lesoirdebamako, April 26). This occurred despite the fact that the... MORE
Briefs
Al-Qaeda’s Malian Affiliate Celebrates French Withdrawal Jacob Zenn On February 17, France announced its withdrawal of troops from Mali (France24.com, February 17). President Emmanuel Macron noted that victory was “impossible” if the Malian junta, which came to power through a coup in 2021, continued to... MORE
Russian Mercenaries’ Potential Advent to Mali
According to various reports, members of Russia’s notorious Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) have been transported to Mali to render assistance to the local interim government (Rosbalt.ru, September 27). Given the presence of Russian mercenaries in other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa (Ifri.org, September 11, 2020),... MORE
Russia’s Four Diplomatic Encounters and a Summit
In late September, while President Joseph Biden struggled with a multitude of domestic issues and President Vladimir Putin sought opportunities to score points on the international arena, the United States and Russia accomplished a series of potentially consequential diplomatic exchanges and probes at the medium–high... MORE
Briefs
Suicide Bombing in Congo Indicates Growing Influence of Islamic State Affiliate Jacob Zenn On June 29, Islamic State in Central Africa Province (ISCAP) claimed its first ever suicide bombing at a bar in Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (France24, June 30). This represented... MORE
No End in Sight for Insecurity and Banditry in Northwestern Nigeria
For half a decade, northwestern Nigeria has been facing serious insecurity, ranging from armed group violence to kidnappings and banditry, which has affected most of the population living in Zamafara, Katsina and Sokoto states. According to the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Maradi, Niger... MORE
ISWAP Launches Hearts and Minds Strategy to Counter Nigerian Army Offensive
Since Boko Haram’s launched its jihad in 2009, the group has undergone three major phases of territory-capturing military offensives. The Nigerian army turned the tide against Boko Haram after the first two phases with a ‘Plan A’ and ‘Plan B.’ However, Boko Haram’s ongoing military... MORE
Briefs
One Year After the Death of Abdelmalek Droukdel AQIM Falls into Obscurity Jacob Zenn Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has been considered a stalwart affiliate of al-Qaeda since its predecessor organization, the Salafist Group for Preaching Combat (GSPC), pledged loyalty to al-Qaeda in 2006 (Terrorism... MORE
JNIM Deputy Leader Ag Albaka Killed in Northern Mali: Fluke or Sign of Counter-Terrorism Progress?
On April 5, Abdallaye ag Albaka was reportedly killed during an attack by the Group for Support of Muslims and Islam (JNIM) in the northern Malian town of Aguelhok (leparisien.fr, April 5). The attack targeted a United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)... MORE