KEYIR NEWS - The African Union Commission (AUC) has condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks that struck Mali’s Ségou region on Tuesday, August 19, targeting Malian army positions in Farabougou and Biriki-Were.
According to official reports, the coordinated assaults, claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), left multiple casualties among both security forces and civilians.
The Al-Qaeda affiliate has been responsible for a series of violent operations across the Sahel, contributing to mounting insecurity in Mali and neighboring states.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed deep concern and extended condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the Malian people and government.
“These attacks represent another stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by terrorism and violent extremism to peace, security, and stability on our continent,” the Chairperson said. “The African Union stands firmly with Mali in this painful moment and will continue to support its Member States in their collective fight against terrorism.”
The Chairperson reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation against extremist groups operating in the Sahel. He stressed that confronting terrorism requires both coordinated security responses and sustainable investment in addressing root causes such as poverty, governance deficits, and exclusion.
The attacks come as Mali, along with its Sahelian neighbors, intensifies military and political efforts to contain the spread of armed groups that have expanded their influence in recent years. Despite joint initiatives through the G5 Sahel, ECOWAS, and AU-UN partnerships, insecurity has continued to escalate, displacing millions and threatening fragile economies across West Africa.
Analysts warn that the resurgence of high-profile attacks highlights the urgency of stronger counterterrorism coordination and underscores the long-term challenge of stabilizing the region.
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Background: JNIM and the Sahel Security Crisis
- Who is JNIM?
The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) is an Al-Qaeda–linked coalition of extremist factions active across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Formed in 2017, it has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly attacks targeting both civilians and security forces. - Why the Sahel?
The Sahel region has become a frontline in Africa’s fight against terrorism. Vast ungoverned spaces, porous borders, and socioeconomic fragility have enabled extremist groups to expand their operations. - Impact on Civilians
- Over 2.7 million people displaced across the central Sahel (UNHCR, 2025).
- Persistent attacks on villages, markets, and infrastructure undermine food security and local economies.
- AU’s Counterterrorism Framework
The African Union has adopted the 2020 Master Roadmap on Silencing the Guns and strengthened coordination with ECOWAS and the United Nations. However, implementation remains a major challenge amid limited resources and political instability in the region.