What next for Mali's military leaders after shock of rebel offensive?
Tuareg separatist and jihadist groups launched a major offensive in Mali, seizing the northern city of Kidal and assassinating Defence Minister Sadio Camara, shaking confidence in the military junta led by Col Assimi Goïta. The attacks, which also reached the capital Bamako, have raised questions about the junta's stability and the effectiveness of its Russian allies. Analysts suggest the military government may attempt a counter-offensive or seek additional international partners while trying to maintain control.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
What next for Mali's military leaders after shock of rebel offensive?8 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMakuochi Okafor,BBC AfricaandMohamed Ibrahim,BBC ArabicAFP via Getty ImagesTuareg separatist fighters have taken over the city of Kidal after Russian and Malian troops withdrewIt is hard to overstate the sense of shock reverberating across West Africa after attackers, in co-ordinated assaults, managed to enter Mali's capital, Bamako, assassinate the defence minister and seize control of northern areas.Residents in different cities across the country woke to gunfire and explosions on Saturday - attacks which an alliance of two groups - the separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and the al-Qaeda-linked JNIM group - said they were behind.The scale of the offensive and the…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at BBC News.