The offensive by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group JNIM threatens Mali's capital, which is under blockade. In an interview with Le Monde, analyst Jean-Hervé Jezequel examines the jihadists' objectives.
Interview by Anna Sylvestre-Treiner
Mali's ruling military and their Russian allies from Africa Corps face an unprecedented threat from jihadists. On April 25, the Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin ("Support Group for Islam and Muslims," JNIM) and its pro-independence allies from the Azawad Liberation Front (ALF) in the north launched an unprecedented offensive, attacking several cities, including Bamako, the capital.
They have seized control of several northern cities, including Kidal, and are now imposing a blockade on Bamako. Could this lead to the fall of the Malian government? Jean-Hervé Jezequel, Sahel Project Director at the International Crisis Group, shared his analysis in an interview with Le Monde.
Are we about to witness the fall of Bamako and the takeover of Mali by JNIM?
We are witnessing a turning point in this conflict, which has been ongoing since 2012. That being said, I do not think that JNIM aims to seize Bamako in the short term. The capital is a very large city that would not be easy to control or administer. Especially since, until it took Kidal with the ALF on April 25, JNIM did not control any urban center.
You have 91.82% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
