African Union Raises Alarm Over Mali’s Deepening Security and Humanitarian Crisis
The African Union (AU) has issued a stark warning, calling for urgent international action to address the catastrophic security collapse in Mali. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, voiced profound concern this Sunday over an escalating tide of terrorism that is fueling widespread violence and human suffering.
A Nation Under Siege
According to the high-level statement, terrorist armed groups have effectively laid siege to vast areas of the country. They have imposed a suffocating blockade, severing entire regions from vital supply lines for essential goods. This tactic has exacerbated an already dramatic humanitarian situation, leaving thousands of civilians trapped in a cycle of fear and deprivation, caught between indiscriminate violence and critical resource shortages.
“The attacks targeting innocent populations have caused unacceptable loss of life and further weakened the country’s stability,” Mr. Youssouf stated, condemning the violence in the strongest terms. He expressed the AU’s full solidarity with the Malian people and the nation’s Transitional Government, while also paying tribute to the families of the victims.
Kidnappings and a Call for Justice
In a related development, the Chairperson strongly denounced a series of recent kidnappings, including the abduction of three Egyptian nationals. He labeled these acts as grave violations of both human rights and international humanitarian law, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all captives. Youssouf emphasized that such barbaric acts must not be tolerated and cannot go unpunished.
A Transnational Threat Demanding a Unified Response
Acknowledging that the scourge of terrorism in the Sahel knows no borders, the AU leader called for a robust, coherent, and coordinated international mobilization. He advocated for a multi-pronged approach that includes enhanced security cooperation, improved intelligence sharing between nations, and increased technical and financial support for Sahel states. This strategy aligns with the resolution adopted during the AU’s 1304th ministerial meeting held on September 30, 2025.
Reaffirming the continental body’s commitment, Mr. Youssouf stated that the African Union remains determined to stand with Mali and its neighbors during this critical period. The organization declared it is fully available to support all efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace, stability, and development in the troubled region.
“Africa cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of the people of Mali,” Youssouf concluded. “The time has come for collective action, solidarity, and shared responsibility.”
Source: The Editorial Team