Rita Odafe
An armed group known as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) has seized control of the Kayes barracks in Mali, amidst a backdrop of increasing tensions and violence in the area.
Reports by Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism and insurgency expert Zagazola Makama highlight JNIM as a prominent militant group in the Sahel region, responsible for multiple attacks on military and civilian targets in recent times.
Discussing the situation, the High Islamic Council, under the leadership of Cherif Ousmane Madani Haidara and Gen. Yamoussa Camara, has urged for discussions with all armed factions in Mali to tackle the rising violence and instability.
Observers note a growing dissatisfaction among both military and civilian populations in Mali, as extremist groups like JNIM extend their influence in the southern parts of the country.
“The council’s efforts seek to facilitate a dialogue among different parties to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis, but overcoming the ensuing challenges will be a daunting task,”
Furthermore, the involvement of JNIM in the illegal logging trade has contributed to deforestation and instability in the region, further complicating the situation.
