On Sunday 26 April, the European Union strongly condemned the terrorist attacks perpetrated the previous day in Mali. On Saturday, the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM) (see EUROPE 13715/19) and the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) launched a coordinated offensive in seven Malian towns, during which the Minister of Defence, Sadio Camara, was killed, dealing a severe blow to the military junta in power in Bamako.
“The European Union sends its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the Malian authorities, and also expresses its full solidarity with the Malian people. We reaffirm our determination in the fight against terrorism, as well as our commitment to peace, security and stability in Mali and throughout the Sahel”, a spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) said on Sunday.
In particular, the FLA claimed on Saturday to have taken “total” control of the town of Kidal, in the north of the country, forcing the Russian mercenaries of the ‘Africa Corps’ group and the Malian army to withdraw. (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)