The African Union Commission has condemned coordinated attacks launched in Mali by armed groups targeting the capital, Bamako, as well as other urban areas across the country.
Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said he is following the developments with deep concern, noting that they place civilians at great risk.
He issued the statement in the wake of explosions and sustained gunfire, as armed groups launched coordinated attacks across the country.
The military on Saturday said the”fighting is ongoing”, adding “our defence and security forces are currently engaged in repelling the attackers
AUC reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion of peace, security, good governance, and stability in Mali.
“The Chairperson strongly condemns these acts, which risk exposing civilian populations to significant harm, and reaffirms the Commission’s steadfast commitment to the promotion of peace, security, good governance, and stability in Mali”, it said.
The Chairperson further expressed his full solidarity with the people of Mali, the security forces and the national authorities.
Mali’s military said it is fighting unidentified “terrorist groups” and the situation was under control, but unconfirmed reports suggest fighting continues.
Videos circulating on social media suggest involvement of the jihadist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) rebels.
Mali is currently ruled by a military junta led by Gen Assimi Goïta, who first seized power in a coup in 2020, promising to restore security and push back armed groups.
The junta had popular support when it took power, promising to deal with the long-running security crisis prompted by a separatist rebellion in the north by ethnic Tuaregs, which was then hijacked by Islamist militants.
The UN peacekeeping mission and French forces had been deployed in 2013 to deal with the escalating insurgency.
Both have left since the junta took over, and the military government has hired Russian mercenaries to tackle the insecurity.
However, the jihadist insurgency has continued and large parts of the north and east of the country remain outside government control.
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso recently left the West African bloc Ecowas to form the Alliance of Sahel States.
Additional reporting by BBC
