Source : Sahel weather June 2025

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Faced with the multiplication of jihadist offensivesincreasingly organized , attempting to conquer even more territory and potentially supported by foreign powers, the Malian Armed Forces are trying to counter them. The FAMa, which is under attack in every corner of the country, stopped an attack by members of the JNIM. In the central Malian town of Boulikessi, the takeover of a barracks was claimed by the al-Qaeda-linked Groupe de Soutien à l'Islam et aux musulmans. FAMa air patrols are said to have "neutralized columns of vehicles and motorcycles", while the JNIM attackers are said to have resisted, leaving with "weapons and at least two hostages". In downtown Timbuktu, an attempted infiltration of the camp claimed by the JNIM was thwarted on June 02 by the Malian armed forces, who announced at least 13 dead on the side of the assailants in a communiqué issued by the military authorities. "The General Staff of the Armed Forces informs the public that on Monday June 2, 2025 at around 10 a.m., the Fama foiled an infiltration attempt by terrorist fighters at the Timbuktu camp," the Malian armed forces state in the text.

In southern Mali, in Mahou (Sikasso), 5 soldiers were reportedly killed after being attacked by dozens of jihadists, who also set fire to a military vehicle. The military source reports that the situation is under control, insofar as the attackers have been repulsed, have lost men and have left their weapons and ammunition behind. 

Clashes continue between the Malian armed forces and FLA independence fighters in northern Mali. The events are said to have occurred on June 13. While the Malian army claims that the situation is under control, FLA spokesman Mohamed Elmaouloud announced: "Our troops carried out a targeted action against an Africa Corps patrol on Friday. We inflicted significant material damage and human casualties on the enemy".

From Wagner to Africa Corps, towards a new form of Mali/Russia collaboration

The Malian army, aided by the Kremlin-controlled paramilitary force Africa Corps, has to contend not only with the JNIM, but also with attacks by the Front de libération de l'Azawad (FLA). Since the dispute with Evgueni Prigojine, boss of the Wagner group, who died in 2023, Russia has replaced Wagner with Africa Corps in all countries where Russian paramilitary forces are present on the African continent. The announcement was made on June 6 regarding Wagner's withdrawal from Mali, where Africa Corps is trying to convince the authorities in the face of increasing attacks by JNIM and FLA against the Malian armed forces. 

On June 23, , General Assimi Goïta, on an official visit to RussiaVladimir Putin received the President of Mali. This visit is "part of the strengthening of bilateral relations between Mali and Russia", according to the Malian Presidency's Facebook page, which also announces the signing of several agreements of common interest between the two countries. 

In addition, with the proliferation of terrorist attacks and crimes, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the ESA Ministers of Justice have agreed to set up a Sahelian Criminal and Human Rights Court. Local media are also reporting a desire to harmonize criminal legislation in the ESA region on terrorism, cybercrime, money laundering, human trafficking and attacks on state sovereignty. Persons convicted of crimes or serious misconduct will be included in a common file to facilitate the work of the future Sahelian Criminal Court. 

Thanks to a bill adopted by the Council of Ministers, General Assimi Goïta could become President of the Republic without going to the polls. In any case, this is what was announced by the Council of Ministers, a law which would confer on him the status of President with a renewable 5-year mandate. This decision comes at a time when a certain Mr. Saidou known as Cheikhna Diallo is said to have lodged a request for the removal from office of the executive power led in Mali by General Assimi Goïtawith the Constitutional Court , a request that was rejected by the High Court, which declared itself incompetent.