Latest Mali government News
West Africa's junta-led nations announce deployment of a joint force as extremist violence spikes
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The junta-led West African countries of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali have created a joint force that will soon be deployed in the restive Sahel region against rising extremist violence, Niger’s defense minister said Wednesday, The force of 5,000 personnel...
Mali seizes 3 tons of gold from Canadian company Barrick amid dispute over share of revenue
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Mali's military government has started seizing gold stocks of the Canadian mining company Barrick as part of a legal battle over the share of revenue owed to the West African state, according to an internal Barrick letter seen by The Associated Press. The...
Nearly 70 migrants died when their boat sank en route to Spain, a Malian minister says
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Nearly 70 migrants died when their boat sank as they tried to reach Spain earlier this month, Mali’s Minister for Malians Living Abroad said. In a press release on Thursday, Mossa Ag Attaher announced that a migrant boat bound for Spain sank on Dec. 19. The...
Niger junta suspends BBC accusing it of 'spreading false news' in coverage of attack
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Niger's ruling junta suspended the BBC for three months over the broadcaster's coverage of an extremist attack that allegedly killed dozens of Nigerien soldiers and civilians, authorities said Thursday. “BBC broadcasts false information aimed at...
Rights group accuses Russian mercenaries of abuses against civilians in Mali
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Mali’s armed forces, supported by Russian mercenaries, committed abuses against civilians since the withdrawal of a U.N. peacekeeping mission late last year, Human Rights Watch said in a report released Thursday. Malian armed forces and the Russia-backed...
Mali court frees 11 signatories to declaration calling for ruling military junta to stand down
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — A court in Mali has freed 11 opposition leaders who were arrested in June on charges of plotting against the ruling military junta after calling for a return to civilian rule. Their provisional release on Friday has been seen as an attempt to calm the...
Drone strikes by Mali's military regime kill 8 Tuareg leaders in the country's north
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Drone strikes by Mali's military regime killed eight Tuareg rebel leaders in the town of Tinzaouatine in the north of the country, a rebel spokesman said Sunday. It was the first time since the start of the rebellion in 2012 that so many Taureg leaders have been killed in a...
Mali arrests four senior employees of Canadian mining company as it presses firms for more taxes
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Authorities in Mali have arrested four senior employees of a Canadian mining company as the military regime in the West African nation continues to detain workers to pressure companies in its crucial mining sector to pay millions in additional taxes. Barrick...
Mali arrests top politician for criticizing Burkina Faso's ruling junta
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Mali's ruling junta arrested one of the country's top politicians Wednesday for criticizing the military rulers of neighboring Burkina Faso, according to his son and a judiciary source. Issa Kaou N’Djim, who previously supported Mali's current military leader...
Mali cuts TV news station's signal over broadcast criticizing Burkina Faso's ruling junta
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Mali’s ruling junta cut the signal of the popular news broadcaster Joliba TV News after a prominent politician criticized the military rulers of neighboring Burkina Faso during a televised debate, a journalist for the channel said Tuesday. “This morning, the...
