ECOWAS condemns terrorist attacks in Mali

The 15-member regional political and economic union of Africa on Sunday strongly condemned a series of terrorist attacks in several localities across Mali, describing them as a threat to regional peace and stability.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, issued a statement condemning the attacks on Saturday as "heinous acts" that highlight "the barbaric nature of the perpetrators who continue to threaten peace, security, and stability in the West African sub-region as a whole."

Earlier on Saturday, Mali was rocked by a series of coordinated attacks across multiple cities, including the capital Bamako, Kati, Mopti, and Gao. The situation remained fluid, with heavy gunfire and explosions reported in several areas, while the fate of Defense Minister Sadio Camara remained unclear amid unconfirmed reports of his possible death following an attack near his residence.

Authorities have not issued a comprehensive official statement on casualties or the full scale of the assaults, but security sources indicated that Kati, Bamako, Mopti, and Gao are currently under military control.

Meanwhile, the situation in Kidal remains confused, with conflicting claims over control of the city and no verified confirmation from the government.

ECOWAS called for a unified response, urging “all states, security forces, regional mechanisms and populations of West Africa to unite and mobilize in a coordinated effort to combat this scourge.”

It also offered its "heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims" and expressed "full solidarity with the people and authorities of the Republic of Mali."

Mali has faced persistent security challenges in recent years, with attacks by armed groups affecting multiple regions and raising concerns across West Africa.

Regional organizations such as ECOWAS have repeatedly called for strengthened cooperation among member states to address security threats and maintain stability in the sub-region.