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Insurgents attacked several towns across Mali on Saturday, targeting army bases and a prison near the capital, Bamako. The assaults, involving Tuareg separatists and JNIM, highlight the ongoing security challenges facing Mali's military leadership.
Coordinated attacks by suspected jihadists and Tuareg separatist fighters struck multiple towns in Mali, including a prison near Bamako, according to the army and security sources. The FLA and JNIM groups claimed involvement, marking a fresh escalation over two months after a previous offensive.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have formally launched the process of withdrawing from the International Criminal Court, with Niger's official notification now received by the court. The move, announced last year, reflects the Sahel nations' criticism of international institutions, while the ICC expresses regret and reaffirms its commitment to accountability.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have formalized their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, a move that human rights organizations say threatens justice for victims of war crimes. The countries accuse the court of bias and politicization, but the ICC and NGOs warn of impunity and weaken global accountability.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have officially initiated their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, a process they first signaled in September. The ICC has voiced concern, warning that such departures risk undermining global justice efforts, while the Sahel states have denounced the court as a tool of neocolonial repression.
Human Rights Watch reports that Malian armed forces, allied militias, and Islamist groups have committed serious abuses against civilians since fighting escalated in April. The report documents attacks, blockades, and drone strikes, and calls for accountability.
Amnesty International has accused Sudan's Rapid Support Forces of crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing during their seizure of El Fasher, citing interviews with 247 people, including 208 survivors. The report details deliberate targeting of civilians, particularly the Zaghawa ethnic group and children, and calls for a nationwide ceasefire and international protection force.
Niger has arrested dozens of people under a new penal code criminalising same-sex relations, prompting a climate of fear and forcing HIV service groups to halt operations. The crackdown is part of a broader wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation across West Africa.
A deadly attack on Niamey airport in June, the second this year, has prompted analysis that jihadist groups are adapting their methods to challenge Niger's security forces. The assault, claimed by JNIM, came after a January attack attributed to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, with researchers pointing to a new emphasis on deception.
The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing new steps to ensure justice for crimes against peacekeepers, citing nearly 1,100 peacekeeper deaths since 1948 and a persistently low prosecution rate. The resolution, sponsored by Pakistan and Denmark, mandates fact-collection and support for investigations, and stresses host countries' responsibility to prosecute perpetrators.
JNIM, Al Qaeda's Sahel branch, claimed responsibility for a dawn assault on Niger's main airport and nearby military base, killing at least 11 soldiers and two civilians. Security forces repelled the attack, killing 22 assailants, while the African Union condemned the violence and Benin expressed solidarity.
An attack on the airport and military airbase in Niamey, Niger, killed 11 soldiers and 2 civilians, according to the defence ministry. Authorities said 22 assailants were killed and about 20 suspects were arrested. The incident comes months after a similar assault claimed by the Islamic State group.
Tunisia have dismissed head coach Sabri Lamouchi after a 5-1 loss to Sweden in their World Cup opener and appointed French coach Hervé Renard for the remainder of the tournament. The move comes as Tunisia face an uphill battle to reach the knockout stage for the first time in their seventh appearance.
European Parliament member Michael von der Schulenburg has called for renewed dialogue between the EU and Russia, arguing that the current spiral of escalation serves no one and that Europe needs peace more than Russia does. Speaking to TASS, he highlighted the conflicts surrounding Europe and predicted that the US will further disengage from the Ukraine conflict.
Russian Foreign Ministry officials have accused Ukraine of acting as a logistics hub for Western weapons that end up with terrorist groups in Africa, citing discoveries of Ukrainian-made drone components in Mali. The claims, reported by TASS, are part of Moscow's broader criticism of Western military support for Kyiv.
During Kenyan President William Ruto's two-day State Visit to South Africa, the two nations signed six Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, maritime transport, skills development, and more. The agreements bring the total bilateral pacts to 34, as both leaders emphasized expanding economic cooperation and regional integration.
Mali's military government has banned the use and sale of motorcycles with engines of 125 cc or above outside major urban areas, and designated 35 'zones of military interest' in forested regions, in a bid to counter a surge in militant attacks. The measures follow coordinated assaults by Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists and Tuareg separatists, including a blockade of the capital, Bamako.
Benin's President Romuald Wadagni made his first regional visits to Niger and Burkina Faso, signaling a potential thaw in relations with the military-led Sahel states. The trip followed tensions over border closures and accusations of foreign interference, with both sides expressing a desire to boost security and economic cooperation.
Iran’s national football team will leave for their World Cup base in Mexico on Saturday, June 6, after a final warm-up match against Mali in Turkey. While the team has received Mexican visas, US entry visas for their group games remain pending, and Washington has said it will bar Iranian officials with ties to the IRGC from accompanying the squad.
Senegal defeated Tanzania 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to win the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Tanzania's historic run to their first final was highlighted by the Golden Boot performance of 14-year-old Dismas Shida Athanasi.