Mali Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop has described the coordinated attacks of April 25 as a deliberate effort to “decapitate” the country leadership, saying the transitional government will never negotiate with terrorist-aligned armed groups operating in the north and east.
Speaking at a media briefing with diplomats accredited to Bamako, Diop said the attacks — which killed Defence Minister General Sadio Camara among dozens of others — were “complex, coordinated and planned with internal and external sponsors” aimed at overthrowing transitional President General Assimi Goita.
“What happened on April 25 aimed at nothing less than decapitating the country leadership. Mali will not bow down,” Diop told reporters.
Accusations of Foreign Sponsorship
Diop accused unnamed foreign sponsors of backing armed groups in the north, and repeated allegations that Ukraine had provided “logistical support for terrorism” operating in the Sahel. He described the assault as part of a “hybrid war” being conducted by proxy against Mali and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The minister reaffirmed Mali security partnership with Russia, saying the attacks were repelled “with the support of the Africa Corps of the Russian Defence Ministry.” Russian ambassador Igor Gromyko, speaking as dean of the diplomatic corps, condemned the attacks and said Moscow stood ready to provide further assistance.
No Negotiations With Terrorist Groups
Despite the violence, Diop said authorities remained open to accepting repentant fighters willing to return to the “republican framework,” but insisted there would be no negotiations with terrorist-aligned groups. A judicial investigation opened by Bamako military tribunal on May 1 remains ongoing. Mali has faced persistent insurgencies linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State-affiliated groups for more than a decade.