Mali: The African Union (AU) has issued a stark call for urgent international intervention in Mali, highlighting the rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the Sahel nation. In a statement released Sunday, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission, expressed “deep concern” over the escalating threats posed by the Al Qaeda-linked jihadist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which has imposed a fuel blockade and engaged in the targeted kidnapping of foreign nationals.
The fuel blockade, initiated by insurgents in early September, has severely disrupted daily life. Tanker convoys were attacked, creating widespread shortages that forced schools and businesses across Mali to temporarily close. The capital, Bamako, only recently witnessed schools reopening after a two-week suspension caused by the crisis. The AU warns that such disruptions, if unaddressed, could enable insurgents to exert de facto control over parts of the landlocked country, further destabilizing an already fragile state.
Beyond fuel shortages, JNIM has increasingly turned to the abduction of foreign nationals to finance its operations. The AU specifically demanded the immediate release of three Egyptian citizens recently kidnapped, referencing a previous October incident in which two United Arab Emirates nationals were freed following a ransom payment estimated at $50 million. These acts underline the insurgents’ capacity to exploit both fear and financial leverage to consolidate power in the region.
The AU emphasized the necessity of enhanced regional cooperation, intelligence-sharing, and sustained international support for countries in the Sahel grappling with violent extremism. Western governments, including the U.S., France, Britain, and Italy, have already urged their citizens to leave Mali in response to the escalating threat.
Analysts warn that Mali’s ongoing crises fuel shortages, kidnappings, and insurgent expansion pose not only domestic challenges but also broader regional and international security risks. Effective intervention and coordinated action are crucial to prevent further humanitarian suffering and to curb the growing influence of extremist networks across West Africa.
The African Union’s appeal underscores the urgency of a comprehensive response, combining diplomatic pressure, security assistance, and humanitarian aid, to stabilize Mali and protect civilians from the multiplying threats in the Sahel region.