Military Junta Accuses France Of Violating Mali’s Sovereignty
Mali’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, alleged that France has violated the country’s airspace and provided arms to Islamist militants; France has denied the allegations (Reuters)
Four UN Peacekeepers Killed in Mali Bomb Attack
An improvised explosive device hit the peacekeepers’ vehicle in the northern region of Kidal; three other peacekeepers were seriously wounded (Reuters)
Ivory Coast Calls on ECOWAS to Help Release Captured Soldiers in Mali
Ivory Coast government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly implored ECOWAS to schedule an immediate meeting to discuss rescuing forty six soldiers captured by the Malian junta on July 10 (Reuters)
Interim Malian President Assimi Goita has requested a “mutually beneficial solution” given the Ivory Coast’s protection of political figures wanted by the junta (Reuters)
Attack by Islamic State Affiliate Kills Thirty in Mali
The Platform, a local pro-government militia, claimed an attack by an Islamic State affiliate killed thirty civilians in a town along Mali’s border with Burkina Faso and Niger (Reuters)
Additionally, an increase in Russian military forces in the Gao area of Mali, where the majority of Germany’s troops are deployed, has raised concerns in Germany over the future of their mission in the country (Reuters)
Niger Junta Accepts Algerian Mediation but Rejects Six-Month Transition Proposal
More than two months after the junta overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum’s government, Algeria said it would send a representative to Niamey to launch discussions as soon as possible; however, the junta rejected the proposed six-month transition and said it would decide the timeline (Bloomberg)
Chad Lengthens Presidential Term
The lower house of Chad’s legislature advanced a constitutional change that would allow presidents to serve unlimited terms, while also extending term lengths from five to seven years; it is expected to pass in an upper house vote next month (Reuters)
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby has been in office since his father, the previous leader, was killed in 2021 (Reuters)