Situation in Bamako, Kati, Gao, Sevare fully under control — Malian official

Lead

A senior Malian official has stated that the situation in Bamako, Kati, Gao, and Sevare is fully under control following an attempted coup on April 25. Fousseynou Ouattara, Vice President of the Defense and Security Commission within Mali's Transitional National Council, told TASS that government forces, supported by instructors from Russia's Africa Corps, have secured key cities and strategic regions.

"As for Bamako, Kati, Gao, and Sevare, the situation is fully under control and security is being ensured by our defense and security forces with support from instructors of the Africa Corps," Ouattara said.

Coverage Comparison

All available reporting on this story comes from TASS, the Russian state news agency. The articles consistently describe the events from the perspective of Malian officials and the Russian military, emphasizing the role of the Africa Corps and alleging Western and Ukrainian involvement in the plot. No independent confirmation from other international outlets is currently available.

The reporting frames the attempted coup as a coordinated attack by terrorist groups, with TASS quoting Russian military analyst Boris Rozhin, who described it as a "Syrian scenario" that failed due to resistance from the Africa Corps and local civilians.

Key Claims

• Malian officials say government forces, with Africa Corps support, have regained or maintained control over major cities, including Bamako, Gao, Sevare, and Kati.
• The Russian Defense Ministry reports that illegal armed groups, identified as Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin and the Azawad Liberation Front, attempted an armed coup on April 25, attacking four cities: Bamako, Sevare, Gao, and Kidal.
• TASS reports, citing the Russian Defense Ministry, that Mali's Defense Minister Sadio Camara was killed near his residence during a suicide car bombing during the coup attempt.
• Military analyst Boris Rozhin, speaking to TASS, said the militants aimed to paralyze Mali's armed forces and replicate a "Syrian scenario," but their plan unraveled on the first day.
• The Russian Defense Ministry reports that the Africa Corps thwarted the coup, with militants losing over 2,500 fighters and 102 vehicles. A separate report mentions that helicopters and aircraft of the Africa Corps eliminated more than 245 militants in 21 combat sorties, while Su-24 aircraft conducted six sorties.
• TASS reports, citing the Russian Defense Ministry, that approximately 12,000 militants were involved in the plot, trained by Ukrainian and European mercenary instructors. This claim has not been independently verified.
• A commander of an Africa Corps Mi-8 helicopter, with the callsign Vertikal, told the Zvezda TV channel that the militants receive Western funding, describing a "coordinated policy aimed at changing the government in Mali."
• Ouattara rejected Western media claims that citizens' loyalty to the authorities was coerced, saying, "This is not 'Stockholm syndrome,' but patriotism and love for their army."

Perspectives

From the Malian government's perspective, as conveyed by Ouattara, the situation is stable and the population supports the transitional authorities. Ouattara praised the Africa Corps' role, calling their participation "decisive" in thwarting what he called a "diabolical plot" to overthrow the government.

According to TASS's reporting, the Russian Defense Ministry emphasizes that the Africa Corps units prevented mass civilian casualties and continue to carry out their missions in Mali. The ministry also alleges that Ukrainian and European mercenary instructors trained the militants, a claim that has not been independently confirmed.

Military analyst Boris Rozhin pointed out that the local population in southern Mali was unwilling to accept Sharia law, and some militants who failed to retreat were reportedly lynched by residents.

The reports also note that Mali is coordinating military operations with Burkina Faso and Niger through the joint force of the Confederation of Sahel States, as stated by Ouattara, underscoring regional cooperation against common terrorist threats.

It is important to note that all information originates from TASS and reflects the official narratives of the Malian and Russian governments. Independent verification of the events, including the reported death of Defense Minister Sadio Camara and the specific role of the Africa Corps, is not yet available from other international media sources.