International news in seven languages
Topic
Three junta-ruled Sahel states – Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso – on Saturday resumed dialogue with the ECOWAS regional bloc, which they withdrew from more than 18 months ago. They agreed to work towards a “framework agreement” on cooperation. FRANCE 24’s regional correspondent Harold Girard tells us more.
Soldiers, fighters and separatists in West African country committing grave laws-of-war violations, rights group finds.
Recently published video is said to show Mali’s armed forces in Kidal after retaking the strategic northern city.
Kidal's takeover marks a turning point for the Malian army, after seven months of setbacks. The FAMA took over this strategic city without fighting, following the retreat of the FLA Tuaregs. Now it remains to consolidate this success in the North.
The Malian army, supported by the Russian forces of the Africa Corps, announced that it had resumed Kidal on 6 October, after the departure of the fighters of the Azawad Liberation Front (ALA). Bastion of the Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali, this strategic city was returned to rebel control on 25 April, during an offensive carried out jointly with the jihadists of the Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM). Explanations by Wassim Nasr, journalist France 24.
The Malian army says it has entered the strategic northern city of Kidal, which was captured around five months ago by Tuareg separatists who announced their withdrawal earlier Tuesday as the military advanced – a symbolic boost to Mali's junta and its Russian backers. In late April, jihadists from Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM and its Tuareg separatist allies kicked off a series of attacks aimed at weakening Mali's junta rulers, including taking control of Kidal and killing the defence minister. FRANCE 24’s Senior journalist Wassim Nasr explains.
Mali's military regained control of the strategic town of Kidal after forcing Tuareg separatists and al Qaeda-linked jihadists to withdraw following an offensive backed by Russia's Africa Corps.
The Malian army announced on Tuesday that it had entered the city of Kidal, shortly after the Tuareg independenceist rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) – who had taken control of the Malian strategic locality at the end of April – said that they had carried out a "strategic withdrawal" of their forces against the army's operations to take over this northern city.
The school year in Mali is Thursday, but thousands of children will not be able to return to school because of the continuing insecurity.
The victims' relatives told the BBC to be relieved of having finally a verdict, twelve years after the accident.
Spain's Swiftair was fined 225,000 euros in France for corporate manslaughter over 2014 Air Algerie disaster in Mali.
As on all war grounds, the drone has made a prominent place in the Malian arsenal. Whether they are of Iranian, Turkish or Russian origin, these killer devices are increasingly being used by the junta in its war against armed groups and jihadists. A policy assumed and claimed, intended to display an alleged military power. But the use of drones is also a threat to civilians. In a new and upbuilding survey, Young Africa highlights how the FAMA, the Malian army, target their own population. Details
Senegal draw with Mozambique, Nigeria edge past Madagascar, but Cape Verde beaten by Mali in AFCON qualifying openers.
The first day of the CAN 2027 playoffs continued on Friday night with several games. Victories from Morocco, Algeria, Mali or Egypt's draw: here's what to remember from this evening.
In an interview with France 24, Louise Mushikiwabo, a candidate for her own succession as head of the Organisation internationale de la francophonie (OIF), called herself "sereine" before the very first vote for this position. The confrontation between Rwanda and the DR Congo "does not belong to the OIF," she says. The withdrawal in 2025 from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger of the organization did not, she said, constitute a failure "of the secretary general".
In Mali, on the occasion of the 66th anniversary of independence, the President of the transition Assimi Goïta calls for "reconciliation among Malian brothers", while reaffirming his will to strengthen the fight against jihadist groups.
In recent days, the jihadist group has repeatedly attacked the Malian army and its Russian partner in Dioura and Sévaré. Faced with the situation, Assimi Goïta held a meeting in Bamako on Sunday. The facts and analysis of Wassim Nasr.
The 66th anniversary comes as armed groups expand their reach and the government struggles to secure key supply routes.
On September 10, JNIM jihadists launched a major attack on the Malian army. By targeting the Dioura military camp in the centre of the country, they highlighted the vulnerability of the FAMa and their Russian partners. The staff did not make any progress but recognized losses. Another attack took place on Saturday 19 September in the airport area of Sévaré. Some sources report at least 150 deaths in 10 days. The chronicle of our journalist Wassim Nassr.
