US, AU Condemn Coordinated Terror Attacks on Military Bases Across Mali

The United States and the African Union (AU) have strongly condemned a wave of coordinated terrorist attacks in Mali that targeted multiple military installations across the country on Saturday, including the capital Bamako and several strategic cities.

The attacks, which began around 6 a.m. local time, were described by Mali’s army as simultaneous assaults carried out by unidentified armed groups on key military positions in Mali.

The Malian Armed Forces reported that the attackers struck several high-value targets, including the heavily fortified Kati military base, which houses major barracks and is located near the residence of the country’s military leadership. Other affected locations include areas close to Modibo Keita International Airport in Bamako, as well as military positions in northern cities such as Gao and Kidal, and the central town of Sévaré in the Mopti region.

Eyewitnesses reported loud explosions, heavy gunfire, and the deployment of military helicopters as security forces responded rapidly to contain the situation.

The Malian army said its troops engaged the attackers in multiple locations and inflicted heavy losses, adding that several assailants were neutralised during the clashes. Security operations are still ongoing, with the military conducting clearance and sweep operations to secure affected areas and prevent further attacks. Authorities also urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified reports as the situation remains fluid.

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Although no group has claimed responsibility, security analysts say the scale and coordination of the attacks are consistent with tactics previously linked to JNIM (Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin), an al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist group operating in the Sahel region.

The United States government condemned the attacks, expressing condolences to victims and reaffirming its commitment to supporting counterterrorism efforts in West Africa. The U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued a security advisory urging American citizens to shelter in place and avoid movement in high-risk areas, including Kati and routes leading to the international airport.

Washington said it remains committed to working with regional partners to promote peace, stability, and security in the Sahel.

The African Union Commission also condemned the attacks, describing them as a serious threat to both civilian populations and regional stability. AU Commission Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed solidarity with the Malian government and people, warning that continued violence risks further destabilising the broader Sahel region. He reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to supporting peacebuilding, governance reforms, and counter-extremism efforts across West Africa.

Mali has faced more than a decade of insecurity driven by jihadist insurgency, ethnic violence, and political instability, worsened by successive military coups. Despite ongoing cooperation with foreign military partners, including Russian-backed forces, armed groups continue to launch deadly attacks on both military and civilian targets.

Security experts say the latest coordinated assault highlights the growing sophistication of militant networks and the continuing challenge of restoring full control in remote and urban areas.

Casualty figures remain unconfirmed as military operations continue across multiple regions. Authorities say some areas are gradually being stabilised, but clearance operations are still ongoing. The attacks are being described as one of the most coordinated and widespread security incidents in Mali in recent years, raising renewed concerns over terrorism in the Sahel region.

US, AU Condemn Coordinated Terror Attacks on Military Bases Across Mali

Xenophobia Fears Rise in South Africa as Viral Videos Show Attacks on African Migrants

Fresh concerns over xenophobia in South Africa have emerged after viral social media videos showed groups of South Africans confronting and assaulting African immigrants, including a Ghanaian national, amid growing anti-foreigner sentiment in some communities.

In one widely circulated clip, a group of South Africans is seen questioning a Ghanaian man about his immigration status and presence in the country. A woman speaking for the group said migrants were no longer welcome.

“This thing of you guys moving from one country to another is no longer working,” she said. “We don’t want these African people anymore… we don’t want you here; we want you to fix your countries.”

The group also accused the migrant of overstaying or misusing travel documentation, while a man in the video interrogated him about his legal status and warned him to inform others to leave before facing similar treatment.

Another video shows a separate incident in which a man believed to be Ghanaian was physically assaulted by individuals reportedly linked to local residents. The footage has sparked widespread outrage online, with many users calling for arrests and stronger protection for foreign nationals.

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In a third clip, a South African man filming himself at night expressed anger over unemployment and living conditions, blaming foreign nationals for economic hardship. He said migrants were “sleeping comfortably” while locals were “out in the cold,” and insisted they should “go back to their countries.”

The videos, which began trending on Tuesday, have intensified debate around anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, a recurring issue tied to unemployment, poverty, and competition for informal jobs.

Authorities in South Africa have not yet released a full official statement on the viral footage, but police are expected to investigate incidents of assault and harassment captured in the videos, which could amount to criminal offences under South African law.

Meanwhile, tensions are rising in parts of the country. In Mthatha, a town in the Eastern Cape province, residents are reportedly preparing for protests scheduled for Thursday. Organisers say the demonstration is aimed at addressing concerns over foreign nationals in local communities and rising unemployment among South Africans.

Civil society groups and migrant rights organisations have condemned the videos, warning that such rhetoric and violence risk escalating into broader unrest. They are urging authorities to ensure the safety of all foreign nationals and uphold constitutional protections against discrimination and hate speech.

The developments have reignited continental concern over xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which have previously resulted in deaths, displacement of migrants, and diplomatic tensions across Africa.

Xenophobia Fears Rise in South Africa as Viral Videos Show Attacks on African Migrants

Nationwide Unrest in Kenya as Fuel Price Hike Sparks Cost-of-Living Crisis

Kenya is facing a fresh wave of unrest as fuel protests spread across major cities over surging petrol prices, rising diesel costs, and an escalating cost-of-living crisis that has triggered widespread public anger.

The demonstrations began on Tuesday, with hundreds of mostly young protesters taking to the streets in different parts of the country, disrupting traffic and temporarily paralysing business activities in some urban centres.

In Nairobi, protesters gathered around the Kenya National Archives in the central business district, where the early stages of the protest were largely peaceful. Demonstrators sang the national anthem, played games, and chanted slogans before security forces intervened. Police were later deployed to disperse the crowd, reportedly using water cannons. At least 11 protesters were arrested in the CBD and subsequently charged in court the following day.

While the latest protests have not recorded fatalities—unlike the deadly unrest during the 2024 Finance Bill demonstrations—tension remains high across several regions, with fears of further escalation. In towns such as Embu and surrounding areas, traders shut down businesses early, anticipating possible violence and disruptions linked to the ongoing protests.

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The unrest was triggered by a major fuel price adjustment announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which significantly increased pump prices across the country. Under the revised pricing structure, petrol prices rose by 16.1%, while diesel increased by 24.2%, further worsening transportation costs and pushing up the prices of goods and services.

EPRA attributed the hike to rising global crude oil prices and increased import costs, which officials say have surged by nearly 68.7% due to global market instability and supply chain disruptions. Kenya’s reliance on imported fuel—especially from Gulf countries—has made the economy vulnerable to international shocks, including disruptions linked to strategic global routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping corridor.

The protests gained momentum following online campaigns led by activists and opposition voices using the hashtag #RejectFuelPrices, which rapidly spread across social media and helped mobilise demonstrators nationwide. Security agencies have since increased surveillance in major cities amid concerns that the protests could expand further in the coming days.

The Kenyan government has condemned the demonstrations, describing them as unlawful and accusing organisers of failing to comply with the mandatory 14-day notice requirement for public protests. Officials also alleged that some of the mobilisation efforts amounted to unlawful assembly, though protest organisers insist the movement is a legitimate response to economic hardship.

President William Ruto defended the government’s position, arguing that global fuel price increases cannot be reversed through street protests. “There are others saying that because fuel prices have increased globally, they will hold protests in the country. If they protest, will the cost of fuel decrease?” he said.

In an attempt to ease public pressure, the government introduced an eight percent VAT reduction on fuel, which lowered petrol prices to about Sh197.60 per litre. However, many citizens say the reduction is insufficient, especially after prices recently peaked at Sh206.97 per litre.

Despite the intervention, frustration remains high as households continue to face rising transport fares, food inflation, and stagnant incomes. Analysts say the protests reflect deeper economic distress and growing dissatisfaction with rising living costs, warning that without sustained reforms, public unrest could persist as citizens demand more effective relief measures. Security agencies remain on alert as further demonstrations are expected across multiple cities.

Nationwide Unrest in Kenya as Fuel Price Hike Sparks Cost-of-Living Crisis