For years, Mali has been embroiled in a relentless spiral of security and political turmoil.

The security crisis escalates with persistent assaults from jihadist and separatist armed groups. A stark reminder of this danger was the recent attack on April 25, targeting the capital, Bamako. This devastating incident tragically claimed the life of Defense Minister Sadio Camara, among others.

Concurrently, the nation grapples with a profound political crisis. Military authorities have consolidated power, effectively sidelining political parties and governing unchallenged since the coups of 2020 and 2021.

In a significant development in November 2023, the Malian Armed Forces, with crucial backing from Russian paramilitaries of the Wagner Group, successfully recaptured the strategic city of Kidal. This territory had been under the control of rebel factions since 2012. This aggressive resumption of hostilities definitively underscored the failure of the 2015 Algiers Accord, a peace agreement forged between the Malian government and northern separatists.

On January 25, 2024, the Malian government formally announced the immediate termination of the Algiers Accord on peace and reconciliation. With the accord abandoned, the conflict reignited. Then, on April 25, 2026, separatist forces from the Front de libération de l’Azawad (FLA) and the Groupe de soutien à l’islam et aux musulmans (JNIM) launched a coordinated series of attacks across several cities, including Bamako, swiftly regaining control of Kidal.

To further illuminate these complex dynamics, I’ve gathered insights from leading analysts, including Étienne Fakaba Sissoko of the CFR, Gilles Yabi from WATHI, and sociologist Mohamed Abdellahi Elkhalil, who offer their perspectives on Mali’s challenging path forward.