The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has expressed solidarity with the authorities of Mali in their fight against terrorists and efforts to ensure security in the Sahel, condemning the militants' establishment of a fuel blockade. This was stated in a press release from the organization.
"The Chairperson reaffirms his solidarity with the government and people of Mali, as well as with the families of the victims, and reiterates the AU's unwavering commitment to maintaining peace, security, and development throughout the Sahel," the message reads.
Mahamat called for decisive international action to combat terrorism and extremism in the Sahel, including enhanced cooperation, intelligence sharing, and support for affected states. He also assured that the African Union is ready to provide necessary assistance to Mali in its fight against the militants.
"The Chairperson of the Commission confirms the full readiness of the African Union to support Mali, as well as all Sahel countries, during this particularly challenging period by providing them with the necessary assistance in their efforts to achieve peace and stability," the AU stated.
Earlier in November, Mali's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdoulaye Diop, stated that the fuel crisis in Mali was artificially created from outside to destabilize the situation in the country. He also emphasized that the militants' attacks on the country's economic facilities indicate a change in their tactics, which points to an overall weakening of the terrorists.
Previously, the "African Initiative" analyzed the tactics of the terrorists' fuel blockade, its causes, and consequences.
For over a decade, affiliates of the Islamic State* and Al-Qaeda* have been operating in the region, destabilizing the situation in Mali and its neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger. Militants established a foothold in northern Mali following a separatist Tuareg rebellion in 2012. Since then, Islamist militants have spread to other countries across the Sahel.
*Terrorist organizations banned in the Russian Federation
