Editing Mali (section)

== History ==
{{main|History of Mali}}

=== Before colonization ===
[[File:MALI empire map.PNG|thumb|left|The extent of the [[Mali Empire]]'s peak]]
[[File:Timbuktu-manuscripts-astronomy-mathematics.jpg|thumb|left|The pages above are from [[Timbuktu Manuscripts]] written in Sudani script (a form of [[Arabic]]) from the [[Mali Empire]] showing established knowledge of astronomy and mathematics. Today there are close to a million of these manuscripts found in [[Timbuktu]] alone.]]

The rock art in the [[Sahara]] suggests that northern Mali has been inhabited since 10,000 BC, when the Sahara was fertile and rich in wildlife. Early ceramics have been discovered at the central Malian site of Ounjougou dating to about 9,400 BC, and are believed to represent an instance of the independent invention of pottery in the region.<ref>Eric Huysecom, M. Rasse, L. Lespez, K. Neumann, A. Fahmy, A. Ballouche, S. Ozainne, M. Maggetti, Ch. Tribolo, S. Sorian: The emergence of pottery in Africa during the tenth millennium cal BC: new evidence from Ounjougou (Mali), in: Antiquity (2009), p. 906.</ref> Farming took place by 5000 BC and iron was used by around 500 BC.
In the first millennium BC, early cities and towns were created by Mande peoples related to the [[Soninke people]], along the middle Niger River in central Mali, including [[Dia, Mali|Dia]] which began from around 900 BC, and reached its peak around 600 BC,<ref name="Arazi">{{cite web |last1=Arazi |first1=Noemie |title=Tracing History in Dia, in the Inland Niger Delta of Mali -Archaeology, Oral Traditions and Written Sources |url=http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1444342/1/U591645.pdf |website=University College London |publisher=Institute of Archaeology |access-date=4 November 2021 |archive-date=13 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213144217/http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1444342/1/U591645.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Djenne-Djenno]], which lasted from around 300 BC to 900 AD. Through approximately 6th century BC and 4th century BC, the lucrative trans-Saharan trade in pack-animals, gold, salt and slaves had begun, facilitating the rise of West Africa's great empires.

There are a few references to Mali in early Islamic literature. Among these are references to "Pene" and "Malal" in the work of [[al-Bakri]] in 1068,<ref>al-Bakri in Nehemiah Levtzion and J. F. Pl Hopkins, eds and trans., ''Corpus of Early Arabic Sources for West African History'' (New York and London: Cambridge University Press, 1981, reprint edn Princeton, New Jersey,: Marcus Wiener, 2000), pp. 82–83.</ref> the story of the conversion of an early ruler, known to [[Ibn Khaldun]] (by 1397) as Barmandana,<ref>ibn Khaldun in Levtzion and Hopkins, eds, and transl. ''Corpus'', p. 333.</ref> and a few geographical details in the work of [[al-Idrisi]].<ref>al-Idrisi in Levtzion and Hopkins, eds. and transl, ''Corpus'', p. 108.</ref>

Mali was once part of three famed West African empires which controlled [[trans-Saharan trade]] in gold, salt, other precious commodities, and [[slaves]] majorly during the reign of [[Mansa Musa]] from c. 1312 – c. 1337.<ref name=p1>[[#Prof|Mali country profile]], p. 1.</ref> These [[Sahelian kingdom]]s had neither rigid geopolitical boundaries nor rigid ethnic identities.<ref name=p1/> The earliest of these empires was the [[Ghana Empire]], which was dominated by the [[Soninke people|Soninke]], a [[Mande languages|Mande]]-speaking people.<ref name=p1/> The empire expanded throughout West Africa from the eighth century until 1078, when it was conquered by the [[Almoravids]].<ref name=p2>[[#Prof|Mali country profile]]. Mali was later responsible for the collapse of Islamic Slave Army from the North. The defeat of Tukuror Slave Army, was repeated by Mali against the France and Spanish Expeditionary Army in the 1800s ("Blanc et memoires"). p. 2.</ref>

The [[Battle of Kirina]] in 1235, culminated in a victory for the [[Mandinka people|Mandinka]] under the command of the exiled prince [[Sundiata Keita]], which led to the downfall of the [[Sosso Empire]].

[[File:TombouctouPachalik 4.png|thumb|210px|Map of the [[Pashalik of Timbuktu]] (yellow-striped) as part of the [[Saadi dynasty|Saadi dynasty of Morocco]] (outlined black) within the [[Songhai Empire]] (outlined red), {{Circa|1591}}]]
[[File:GriotsSambala.jpg|thumb|left|[[Griot]]s of [[Sambala]], king of Médina ([[Fula people]], Mali), 1890. Photo by [[Joannès Barbier]].]]

The [[Mali Empire]] later formed on the upper [[Niger River]], and reached the height of power in the 14th century.<ref name=p2/> Under the Mali Empire, the ancient cities of [[Djenné]] and [[Timbuktu]] were centers of both trade and Islamic learning.<ref name=p2/> The empire later declined as a result of internal intrigue, ultimately being supplanted by the [[Songhai Empire]].<ref name=p2/> The Songhai had long been a major power in West Africa subject to the Mali Empire's rule.<ref name=p2/>

In the late 14th century, the Songhai gradually gained independence from the Mali Empire and expanded, ultimately subsuming the entire eastern portion of the Mali Empire.<ref name=p2/> The Songhai Empire's eventual collapse was largely the result of the [[Saadian invasion of the Songhai Empire|Moroccan invasion]] of 1591 under the command of [[Judar Pasha]].<ref name=p2/> The fall of the Songhai Empire marked the end of the region's role as a trading crossroads.<ref name=p2/> Following the [[European exploration of Africa|establishment of sea routes by the European powers]], the trans-Saharan trade routes lost significance.<ref name="p2" /> At that time, the Mali Empire's abundance in wealth expanded its commercial assets of [[salt]] and [[gold]].

One of the worst [[famine]]s in the region's recorded history occurred in the 18th century. According to [[John Iliffe (historian)|John Iliffe]], "The worst crises were in the 1680s, when famine extended from the Senegambian coast to the Upper Nile and 'many sold themselves for slaves, only to get a sustenance', and especially in 1738–1756, when West Africa's greatest recorded subsistence crisis, due to drought and locusts, reportedly killed half the population of [[Timbuktu]]."<ref>[[John Iliffe (historian)|John Iliffe]] (2007) [https://books.google.com/books?id=bNGN2URP_rUC ''Africans: the history of a continent''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906225011/https://books.google.com/books?id=bNGN2URP_rUC&pg=&dq&hl=en |date=6 September 2015 }}. Cambridge University Press. p. 69. {{ISBN|0-521-68297-5}}</ref>

=== French colonial rule ===
{{Seealso|French West Africa}}
[[File:Africa. French West Africa. Currently the most important efforts of the Office du Niger are directed toward the... - NARA - 541637.jpg|thumb|upright|Cotton being processed in [[Niono]] into {{convert|400|lb|kg|abbr=on|order=flip}} bales for export to other parts of Africa and to France, c. 1950]]

Mali fell under the control of France during the [[Scramble for Africa]] in the late 19th century.<ref name=p2/> By 1905, most of the area was under firm French control as a part of [[French Sudan]].<ref name=p2/> 

In November 1915, a large [[Volta-Bani War|anti-French uprising]] broke out among the tribes in the regions of present-day Mali and Burkina Faso.<ref>[http://www.cairn.info/revue-autrepart-2003-2-page-35.htm#no3 La guerre coloniale du Bani-Volta, 1915-1916 (Burkina Faso, Mali)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029121219/http://www.cairn.info/revue-autrepart-2003-2-page-35.htm#no3 |date=29 October 2017 }}, Autrepart, 2003.</ref> The last resistance was suppressed only in September 1916. During the suppression of the uprising, over 100 villages were destroyed by French colonial troops.<ref>''14-18 Étions-nous bien défendus ?'', Jean-Claude Flament, Société des écrivains, 2014.</ref>

On 24 November 1958, French Sudan (which changed its name to the Sudanese Republic) became an autonomous republic within the [[French Community]].<ref name="Independent Mali">{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Mali/Independent-Mali|title=Independent Mali|publisher=Britannica |date=1946|access-date=21 January 2021|archive-date=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119042637/https://www.britannica.com/place/Mali/Independent-Mali|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 1959, Mali and [[Senegal]] united to become the [[Mali Federation]].<ref name="Independent Mali"/>

=== Independence ===
The Mali Federation gained independence from France on 20 June 1960.<ref name=p2/> Senegal withdrew from the federation in August 1960, which allowed the Sudanese Republic to become the independent Republic of Mali on 22 September 1960, and that date is now the country's [[List of national independence days|Independence Day]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://maliembassy.us/index.php/2012-02-27-16-59-35/public-holidays |title=Public Holidays |website=Embassy of the Republic of Mali to the United States |access-date=20 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920234345/http://maliembassy.us/index.php/2012-02-27-16-59-35/public-holidays |archive-date=20 September 2018 }}</ref>

[[Modibo Keïta]] was elected the first president.<ref name=p2/> He quickly established a one-party state, adopted an independent African and socialist orientation with close ties to the East, and implemented extensive nationalization of economic resources.<ref name=p2/> In 1960, the population of Mali was reported to be about 4.1&nbsp;million.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130530011412/http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/0/897ce24a48d43c82802565f700407640 Core document forming part of the reports of states parties: Mali]. United Nations Human Rights Website.</ref> On 19 November 1968, following progressive economic decline, the Keïta regime was overthrown in a bloodless military coup led by [[Moussa Traoré]],<ref name=p3>[[#Prof|Mali country profile]], p. 3.</ref> a day which is now commemorated as [[Liberation Day]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/mali-liberation/|title=Liberation Day Commemorated in Mali|access-date=1 February 2019|archive-date=2 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202042457/http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/mali-liberation/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Moussa Traoré regime ===
The subsequent military-led regime, with Traoré as president, attempted to reform the economy. His efforts were frustrated by political turmoil and a devastating [[Sahel drought|drought]] from 1968 to 1974,<ref name=p3/> in which famine killed thousands of people.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4132326.stm Mali's nomads face famine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224054313/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4132326.stm |date=24 February 2021 }}". BBC News. 9 August 2005.</ref> The Traoré regime faced student unrest beginning in the late 1970s and three coup attempts. The Traoré regime repressed all dissenters until the late 1980s.<ref name=p3/>

[[File:Place de la liberté - Bamako.jpg|thumb|WWI Commemorative Monument to the "Armée Noire"]]

Opposition to the corrupt and dictatorial regime of General Moussa Traoré grew during the 1980s. During this time strict programs, imposed to satisfy demands of the International Monetary Fund, brought increased hardship upon the country's population, while elites close to the government supposedly lived in growing wealth. The government continued to attempt economic reforms, and the populace became increasingly dissatisfied.<ref name=p3/> In response to growing demands for multi-party democracy, the Traoré regime allowed some limited political liberalization in the late 1980s, but refused to usher in a full-fledged democratic system.<ref name=p3/> 

In 1990, cohesive opposition movements began to emerge, and was complicated by the turbulent rise of ethnic violence in the north following the return of many [[Tuareg people|Tuaregs]]  who had migrated to [[Algeria]] and [[Libya]] during the drought.<ref name=p3/> Peaceful student protests in January 1991 were brutally suppressed, with mass arrests and torture of leaders and participants.<ref name="nonviolent">{{cite web|url=http://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/index.php/movements-and-campaigns/movements-and-campaigns-summaries?sobi2Task%3Dsobi2Details%26catid%3D34%26sobi2Id%3D10 |title=Nonviolent Conflict Summaries |access-date=1 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616222251/http://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/index.php/movements-and-campaigns/movements-and-campaigns-summaries?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=34&sobi2Id=10 |archive-date=16 June 2011}} Mali March 1991 Revolution</ref> Scattered acts of rioting and vandalism of public buildings followed, but most actions by the dissidents remained nonviolent.<ref name="nonviolent" />

From 22 March through 26 March 1991, mass pro-democracy rallies and a nationwide strike was held in both urban and rural communities, which became known as ''les évenements'' ("the events") or the March Revolution. In Bamako, in response to mass demonstrations organized by university students and later joined by trade unionists and others, soldiers opened fire indiscriminately on the nonviolent demonstrators. Riots broke out briefly following the shootings. Barricades as well as roadblocks were erected and Traoré declared a state of emergency and imposed a nightly curfew. Despite an estimated loss of 300 lives over the course of four days, nonviolent protesters continued to return to Bamako each day demanding the resignation of the dictatorial president and the implementation of democratic policies.<ref name="nesbitt">{{cite web|last=Nesbitt |first=Katherine |title=Mali's March Revolution (1991) |url=http://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/index.php/movements-and-campaigns/movements-and-campaigns-summaries?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=34&sobi2Id=10 |publisher=International Center on Nonviolent Conflict |access-date=1 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616222251/http://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/index.php/movements-and-campaigns/movements-and-campaigns-summaries?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=34&sobi2Id=10 |archive-date=16 June 2011}}</ref>

26 March 1991 is the day that marks the clash between military soldiers and peaceful demonstrating students which climaxed in the massacre of dozens under the orders of Traoré. He and three associates were later tried and convicted and received the death sentence for their part in the decision-making of that day. Nowadays, the day is a national holiday in order to remember the tragic events and the people who were killed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bussa |first=Edward |title=Mali's March to Democracy |url=http://www.threadster.com/2009/03/mali-march-to-democracy/ |website=Threadster.com |access-date=1 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324235624/http://www.threadster.com/2009/03/mali-march-to-democracy/ |archive-date=24 March 2012 |date=26 March 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mohsin |first=Haroon |date=2022-08-18 |title=Martyr's Day in Mali |url=https://nationaltoday.com/martyrs-day-in-mali/ |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=National Today |language=en-US |archive-date=17 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017204906/https://nationaltoday.com/martyrs-day-in-mali/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The coup is remembered as Mali's [[1991 Malian coup d'état|March Revolution of 1991]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Turrittin |first=Jane |date=1991 |title=Mali: People Topple Traoré |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4005962 |journal=Review of African Political Economy |volume=18 |issue=52 |pages=97–103 |doi=10.1080/03056249108703927 |jstor=4005962 |issn=0305-6244 |access-date=9 February 2023 |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209170251/https://www.jstor.org/stable/4005962 |url-status=live }}</ref>

By 26 March, the growing refusal of soldiers to fire into the largely nonviolent protesting crowds turned into a full-scale tumult, and resulted in thousands of soldiers putting down their arms and joining the pro-democracy movement. That afternoon, Lieutenant Colonel [[Amadou Toumani Touré]] announced on the radio that he had arrested the dictatorial president, Moussa Traoré. 

=== Multi-party democracy ===
Opposition parties were legalized, a transitional government was formed and a national congress of civil and political groups met to draft a [[Constitution of Mali|new democratic constitution]] to be approved by a national referendum.<ref name="nesbitt"/><ref name=p3/> In 1992, [[Alpha Oumar Konaré]] won Mali's first democratic, multi-party presidential election, before being re-elected for a second term in 1997, which was the last allowed under the constitution. [[Amadou Toumani Touré]], a retired general who had been the leader of the military aspect of the 1991 democratic uprising, was elected in 2002.<ref name=p4>[[#Prof|Mali country profile]], p. 4.</ref> During this democratic period Mali was regarded as one of the most politically and socially stable countries in Africa.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101111133055/http://www.usaid.gov/locations/sub-saharan_africa/countries/mali/ USAID Africa: Mali]. USAID. Retrieved 15 May 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2008.</ref>

[[Slavery in modern Africa|Slavery]] persists in Mali today with as many as 200,000 people held in direct servitude to a master.<ref name=slaves/> In the [[Tuareg Rebellion (2012)|Tuareg Rebellion of 2012]], ex-slaves were a vulnerable population with reports of some slaves being recaptured by their former masters.<ref>{{cite news|last=York|first=Geoffrey|title=Mali chaos gives rise to slavery, persecution|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=11 November 2012|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/mali-chaos-gives-rise-to-slavery-persecution/article5186368/|location=Toronto|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-date=29 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129023715/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/mali-chaos-gives-rise-to-slavery-persecution/article5186368/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Northern Mali conflict ===
{{main|Mali War}}
{{Seealso|International Criminal Court investigation in Mali}}
[[File:Le Mali confronté aux sanctions et à lavancée des rebelles islamistes (6904946068).jpg|thumb|Tuareg separatist rebels in Mali, January 2012]]

In January 2012 [[Tuareg rebellion (2012)|a Tuareg rebellion]] began in northern Mali, led by the [[National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad]] (MNLA).<ref>[http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Mali-clashes-force-120-000-from-homes-20120222 Mali clashes force 120 000 from homes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010190149/http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Mali-clashes-force-120-000-from-homes-20120222 |date=10 October 2017 }}. News24 (22 February 2012). Retrieved 23 February 2012.</ref> In March, military officer [[Amadou Sanogo]] seized power in [[2012 Malian coup d'état|a coup d'état]], citing Touré's failures in quelling the rebellion, and leading to sanctions and an embargo by the [[Economic Community of West African States]].<ref>Callimachi, Rukmini (3 April 2012) [https://web.archive.org/web/20120404171138/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/post-coup-mali-hit-with-sanctions-by-african-neighbours/article2390504/ "Post-coup Mali hit with sanctions by African neighbours"]. ''Globe and Mail''. Retrieved 4 May 2012.</ref> The MNLA quickly took control of the north, declaring its independence as [[Azawad]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20120406-france-24-exclusive-tuareg-rebels-declare-independence-mlna-mali-ansar-dine-azawad |title=Tuareg rebels declare independence in north Mali |publisher=France 24 |date=6 April 2012 |access-date=28 July 2012 |archive-date=8 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408061146/http://www.france24.com/en/20120406-france-24-exclusive-tuareg-rebels-declare-independence-mlna-mali-ansar-dine-azawad |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Islamist groups, including [[Ansar Dine]] and [[Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb|Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)]], who had helped the MNLA defeat the government, turned on the Tuareg and took control of the north<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mali-crisis-idUSBRE85R15720120628 |title=Islamists declare full control of Mali's north |author=Tiemoko Diallo |author2=Adama Diarra |work=Reuters |date=28 June 2012 |access-date=28 July 2012 |archive-date=15 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815183330/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mali-crisis/islamists-declare-full-control-of-malis-north-idUSBRE85R15720120628 |url-status=live }}</ref> with the goal of implementing [[sharia]] in Mali.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h7XMRIbuZL6BjKF-U-RbRw5W30GA?docId=CNG.03a07b9823792a080c03447fb210148d.121 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121216092840/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h7XMRIbuZL6BjKF-U-RbRw5W30GA?docId=CNG.03a07b9823792a080c03447fb210148d.121 |archive-date=16 December 2012 |title=Mali Islamists want sharia not independence |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=20 June 2012 |access-date=28 July 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ictj.org/publication/possibilities-and-challenges-transitional-justice-mali |title=Mali Possibilities and Challenges for Transitional Justice in Mali |agency=International Center for Transitional Justice |date=9 January 2014 |access-date=25 August 2016 |archive-date=18 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918152945/https://www.ictj.org/publication/possibilities-and-challenges-transitional-justice-mali |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 11 January 2013, the [[French Armed Forces]] [[Operation Serval|intervened]] at the request of the interim government of president [[Dioncounda Traoré]]. On 30 January, the coordinated advance of the French and Malian troops claimed to have retaken the last remaining Islamist stronghold of Kidal, which was also the last of three northern provincial capitals.<ref name="kidal retaken">{{cite news
| url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/01/30/french-troops-control-key-airport-in-north-mali/1876543/
| title = French Troops Retake Kidal Airport, Move into City
| access-date = 30 January 2013
| work = USA Today
| date = 30 January 2013
| archive-date = 30 January 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130130111918/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/01/30/french-troops-control-key-airport-in-north-mali/1876543/
| url-status = live
}} French troops retake the last remaining Islamist urban stronghold in Mali.</ref> On 2 February, French president [[François Hollande]] joined Dioncounda Traoré in a public appearance in recently recaptured Timbuktu.<ref name="BBC-Hollande Timbuktu">{{cite news |title=Mali conflict: Timbuktu hails French President Hollande |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21304079 |access-date=4 February 2013 |work=BBC News |date=2 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202191543/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21304079 |archive-date=2 February 2013 }}</ref>

[[File:Northern Mali conflict.svg|thumb|Map showing the fullest extent of rebel-held territory in January 2013]]
In August 2013, [[Ibrahim Boubacar Keita]] was elected as the new [[president of Mali]] in the second round of [[2013 Malian presidential election|the election]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ibrahim Boubacar Keita wins Mali presidential election |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-23677124 |work=BBC News |date=13 August 2013 |access-date=15 October 2022 |archive-date=20 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120142538/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-23677124 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Conflict in Central Mali ===
In the central Mali province of [[Mopti Region|Mopti]], conflict has escalated since 2015 between agricultural communities like the [[Dogon people|Dogon]] and the [[Bambara people|Bambara]], and the [[Pastoralism|pastoral]] [[Fula people|Fula (or Fulani) people]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/in-depth/sahel-flames-Burkina-Faso-Mali-Niger-militancy-conflict|title=The Sahel in flames|date=31 May 2019|website=The New Humanitarian |access-date=23 June 2019|archive-date=13 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113161848/https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/in-depth/sahel-flames-Burkina-Faso-Mali-Niger-militancy-conflict|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|url=https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/12/07/we-used-be-brothers/self-defense-group-abuses-central-mali|title="We Used to Be Brothers" {{!}} Self-Defense Group Abuses in Central Mali|date=7 December 2018|website=Human Rights Watch |access-date=30 March 2019|last3=t 1.212.290.4700|first3=NY 10118-3299 USA {{!}}|archive-date=2 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402024327/https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/12/07/we-used-be-brothers/self-defense-group-abuses-central-mali|url-status=live}}</ref> Historically, the two sides have fought over access to land and water, factors which have been exacerbated by [[climate change]] as the Fula move into new areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/03/29/radical-islamists-have-opened-a-new-front-in-mali/|title=Radical Islamists Have Opened a New Front in Mali|last=Blake|first=James|website=Foreign Policy |date=29 March 2019 |access-date=30 March 2019|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330032447/https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/03/29/radical-islamists-have-opened-a-new-front-in-mali/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Dogon and the Bambara communities have formed "self-defense groups"<ref name=":4" /> to fight the Fula. They accuse the Fula of working with armed [[Islamic terrorism|Islamists]] linked to [[al-Qaeda]].<ref name=":4" /> While some Fula have joined Islamist groups, [[Human Rights Watch]] reports that the links have been "exaggerated and instrumentalized by different actors for opportunistic ends".<ref name=":4" />

Added a top Mali military commander:<blockquote>I’ve discussed the growing violence with my commanders and with village chiefs from all sides. Yes, sure, there are jihadists in this zone, but the real problem is banditry, animal theft, score settling – people are enriching themselves using the fight against terrorists as a cover.<ref name=":4" /></blockquote>

The conflict has seen the creation and growth of Dogon and Bambara militias. The government of Mali is suspected of supporting some of these groups under the guise of being proxies in the war against Islamists in the [[Northern Mali conflict]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2018/07/24/au-mali-les-liaisons-dangereuses-entre-l-etat-et-les-milices_5335256_3212.html|title=Au Mali, les liaisons dangereuses entre l'Etat et les milices|date=24 July 2018|access-date=30 March 2019|language=fr|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330013608/https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2018/07/24/au-mali-les-liaisons-dangereuses-entre-l-etat-et-les-milices_5335256_3212.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The government denies this.<ref name=":5" /> One such militia is the Dogon group [[Dan Na Ambassagou]], created in 2016.<ref name=":4" />

[[File:Modibo Sidibe voting in Bamako, 2018 Malian presidential election.jpg|thumb|[[Modibo Sidibe]] voting in Bamako, 2018 Malian presidential election]]

In the [[2018 Malian presidential election]] held on 29 July 2018,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.africanews.com/2018/07/10/mali-2018-presidential-election-background-to-a-critical-election-in-an/ |title=Everything you need to know about Mali 2018 presidential election|last=Mumbere|first=Daniel|date=10 July 2018 |work=Africanews.com|access-date=28 July 2018 |archive-date=24 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724062858/http://www.africanews.com/2018/07/10/mali-2018-presidential-election-background-to-a-critical-election-in-an/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://maliactu.net/mali-election-presidentielle-2018-le-premier-tour-aura-lieu-le-dimanche-29-juillet/ |title=Mali: Élection présidentielle 2018 : Le premier tour aura lieu le dimanche 29 juillet|date=12 February 2018|website=maliactu.net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212142217/http://maliactu.net/mali-election-presidentielle-2018-le-premier-tour-aura-lieu-le-dimanche-29-juillet/ |archive-date=12 February 2018|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the first round. A runoff was held on 12 August 2018 between the top two candidates, incumbent president [[Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta]] of the [[Rally for Mali]] and [[Soumaïla Cissé]] of the [[Union for the Republic and Democracy]], and Keïta was re-elected with 67% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |title=Incumbent President Keita wins re-election in Mali |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20180816-mali-incumbent-president-ibraham-boubacar-keita-wins-election |work=France 24 |date=16 August 2018 |access-date=15 October 2022 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116002945/https://www.france24.com/en/20180816-mali-incumbent-president-ibraham-boubacar-keita-wins-election |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2018, the [[Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue]] negotiated a unilateral ceasefire with Dan Na Ambassagou "in the context of the conflict which opposes the group to other community armed groups in central Mali".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hdcentre.org/updates/youssouf-toloba-and-his-dan-nan-ambassagou-armed-group-sign-a-commitment-towards-a-ceasefire-in-central-mali/|title=Youssouf Toloba and his Dan Nan Ambassagou armed group sign a commitment towards a ceasefire in central Mali {{!}} HD Centre|access-date=30 March 2019|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329224050/https://www.hdcentre.org/updates/youssouf-toloba-and-his-dan-nan-ambassagou-armed-group-sign-a-commitment-towards-a-ceasefire-in-central-mali/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the group has been blamed for the [[March 2019 attacks against Fulani herders|24 March 2019 massacre of 160 Fula villagers]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/united-nations-investigate-horrific-massacre-mali-190326135707656.html|title=UN to probe 'horrific' Mali attacks as death toll jumps to 160|date=26 March 2019|publisher=Al-Jazeera|access-date=29 March 2019|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329130105/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/united-nations-investigate-horrific-massacre-mali-190326135707656.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The group denied the attack, but afterwards Malian president Keita ordered the group to disband.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://africanarguments.org/2019/03/26/insiders-insight-explaining-the-mali-massacre/|title=Insiders Insight: Explaining the Mali massacre|date=26 March 2019|website=African Arguments |access-date=30 March 2019|archive-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918134833/https://africanarguments.org/2019/03/26/insiders-insight-explaining-the-mali-massacre/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, [[Adama Dieng]], warned of a growing [[ethnicization]] of the conflict.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/03/1035661|title=Central Mali: Top UN genocide prevention official sounds alarm over recent ethnically-targeted killings |date=28 March 2019|website=UN News |access-date=30 March 2019|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329172541/https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/03/1035661 |url-status=live}}</ref> By 2020, more than 600,000 people had been [[Refugee|displaced]] by the conflict in Mali.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Giannangeli |first1=Marco |title=Britain 'sleepwalking' into deadly conflict in war-torn West Africa |url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1354747/british-army-mali-west-africa-troops-war-terrorism-royal-anglian-light-dragoons-al-qaeda |access-date=30 November 2020 |publisher=express.co.uk |date=1 November 2020 |archive-date=26 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126044622/https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1354747/british-army-mali-west-africa-troops-war-terrorism-royal-anglian-light-dragoons-al-qaeda |url-status=live }}</ref> The United Nations reported that the number of children killed in the conflict in the first six months of 2019 was twice as many for the entire year of 2018. Many of the children have been killed in intercommunal attacks attributed to ethnic militias, with the majority of attacks occurring around [[Mopti]]. It is reported that around 900 schools have closed down and that armed militias are recruiting children.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sharp rise in number of children killed in Mali's deadly attacks |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/aug/13/sharp-rise-number-children-killed-mali |access-date=1 September 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=13 August 2019 |archive-date=31 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831235440/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/aug/13/sharp-rise-number-children-killed-mali |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the first week of October 2019, two jihadist attacks in the towns of Boulikessi and [[Mondoro]] killed more than 25 Mali soldiers near the border with [[Burkina Faso]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://en.puic.org/news/10181 | title = PUIC Secretary General condemns terrorist attacks in Mali | date = 8 October 2019 | publisher = [[Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States]] | archive-url = https://archive.today/20191022180105/http://en.puic.org/news/10181 | archive-date = 22 October 2019 | url-status = live | access-date = 22 October 2019 }}</ref> President Keïta declared that "no military coup will prevail in Mali", continuing by saying that he does not think it "is on the agenda at all and cannot worry us".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/10/07/world/mali-president-dismisses-coup-speculation-jihadi-attacks-kill-dozens-troops-near-burkina-faso-border/#.Xa8-j5IzbIU |title=Mali president dismisses coup speculation after jihadi attacks kill dozens of troops near Burkina Faso border |date=7 October 2019 |website=[[Japantimes.co.jp]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191022175954/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/10/07/world/mali-president-dismisses-coup-speculation-jihadi-attacks-kill-dozens-troops-near-burkina-faso-border/%23.Xa9DXtLLfK5#.Xa8-j5IzbIU |archive-date=22 October 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=22 October 2019 }}</ref> On 1 November 2019, the [[Islamic State in the Greater Sahara|IS-GS]] militants killed at least 50 soldiers in the [[2019 Indelimane attack]] in the [[Ménaka Region]] of Mali.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/militants-kill-54-attack-mali-army-post-claims-responsibility-n1075721|title=Militants kill 54 in attack on Mali army post, ISIS claims responsibility|website=[[NBC News]]|date=3 November 2019 |accessdate=12 December 2019}}</ref> In February 2020, Human Rights Watch documented atrocities against civilians in Central Mali and said that at least 456 civilians were killed, while hundreds were injured from January 2019 until November.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/02/10/how-much-more-blood-must-be-spilled/atrocities-against-civilians-central-mali|title=How Much More Blood Must Be Spilled?|website=HRW|date=10 February 2020|access-date=31 May 2023|archive-date=31 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531102933/https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/02/10/how-much-more-blood-must-be-spilled/atrocities-against-civilians-central-mali |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2020s coups and Assimi Goïta junta ===
{{Main|2020 Malian coup d'état|2021 Malian coup d'état}}
{{Seealso|List of terrorist attacks in Mali}}
[[File:Comité national pour le salut du Peuple - 2020 Malian coup d'Etat 2.jpg|thumb|Members of the [[National Committee for the Salvation of the People]], September 2020]]

Popular unrest began on 5 June 2020 following irregularities in the March and April parliamentary elections, including outrage against the kidnapping of opposition leader [[Soumaïla Cissé]].<ref>{{cite news|website=ABC News|date=5 June 2020|access-date=21 August 2020|agency=Associated Press|first=Baba |last=Ahmed |title=Thousands in Mali's capital demand that president step down |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/thousands-malis-capital-demand-president-step-71093627 |archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913072323/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/thousands-malis-capital-demand-president-step-71093627|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=6 October 2020|title=Kidnapped Mali politician and French aid worker freed |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/06/kidnapped-mali-politician-and-french-aid-worker-freed |access-date=30 May 2021|website=the Guardian |archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603113914/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/06/kidnapped-mali-politician-and-french-aid-worker-freed|url-status=live}}</ref> Between 11 and 23 deaths followed protests that took place from 10 to 13 June.<ref name="cnews" /> In July, President Keïta dissolved the constitutional court.

Members of the military led by Colonel [[Assimi Goïta]] and Colonel-Major [[Ismaël Wagué]] in [[Kati, Mali|Kati]], [[Koulikoro Region]], began a mutiny on 18 August 2020.<ref name=cnews>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnews.fr/monde/2020-08-19/tout-comprendre-sur-la-situation-au-mali-990104|title=TOUT COMPRENDRE SUR LA SITUATION AU MALI|date=19 August 2020|access-date=21 August 2020|language=fr|trans-title=Understanding everything about the situation in Mali |website=CNews |archive-date=26 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826193119/https://www.cnews.fr/monde/2020-08-19/tout-comprendre-sur-la-situation-au-mali-990104|url-status=live}}</ref> President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and Prime Minister [[Boubou Cissé]] were arrested, and shortly after midnight Keïta announced his resignation, saying he did not want to see any bloodshed.<ref name=cnews /> Wagué announced the formation of the [[National Committee for the Salvation of the People]] (CNSP) and promised elections in the future. A curfew was begun and the streets of Bamako were quiet.<ref name=cnews /> The [[Economic Community of West African States]] (ECOWAS) condemned the coup and demanded that Keïta be reinstated as president.<ref name="neighbours">{{cite web |website=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53848223|date=21 August 2020|access-date=21 August 2020|title=Mali's coup is cheered at home but upsets neighbours |archive-date=21 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821112314/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53848223|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 12 September 2020, the CNSP agreed to an 18-month political transition to civilian rule. Shortly after, [[Bah Ndaw|Bah N'daw]] was named interim president by a group of 17 electors, with Goïta being appointed vice president. The government was inaugurated on 25 September 2020. On 18 January 2021, the transitional government announced that the CNSP had been disbanded, almost four months after had been promised under the initial agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mali: President Bah N'Daw decrees the dissolution of the CNSP |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/62102/mali-president-bah-ndaw-decrees-the-dissolution-of-the-cnsp/ |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=The Africa Report.com |language=en |archive-date=26 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526041635/https://www.theafricareport.com/62102/mali-president-bah-ndaw-decrees-the-dissolution-of-the-cnsp/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Tensions between the civilian transitional government and the military ran high after the handover of power in September 2020. The tensions came to a head on 24 May 2021 after a cabinet reshuffle, where two leaders of the 2020 military coup – [[Sadio Camara]] and [[Modibo Kone]] – were replaced by N'daw's administration.<ref>{{cite web|date=25 May 2021|title=EU condemns 'grave and serious' kidnapping of Mali's leaders|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/24/mali-president-prime-minister-and-defence-minister-arrested-sources-say|access-date=25 May 2021|website=the Guardian |archive-date=25 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525203413/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/24/mali-president-prime-minister-and-defence-minister-arrested-sources-say|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that day, journalists reported that three key civilian leaders – President N'daw, Prime Minister [[Moctar Ouane]] and Defence Minister [[Souleymane Doucouré]], were being detained in a military base in [[Kati, Mali|Kati]], outside Bamako.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mali's military detains president, prime minister|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/24/military-arrest-malis-president-pm-following-govt-reshuffle|access-date=25 May 2021|website=AlJazeera.com |archive-date=25 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525105349/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/24/military-arrest-malis-president-pm-following-govt-reshuffle|url-status=live}}</ref> On 7 June 2021, Mali's military commander Assimi Goïta was sworn into office as the new interim president.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mali's military leader Goita sworn in as transitional president |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/7/assimi-goita-mali-military-leader-sworn-in-as-interim-president |website=AlJazeera.com |access-date=6 April 2022 |archive-date=25 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525194705/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/7/assimi-goita-mali-military-leader-sworn-in-as-interim-president |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:MaliWar.svg|thumb|Military situation in Mali. For a detailed map, see [[Template:Mali War detailed map|here]].]]
In 2022 and 2023, the [[Islamic State in the Greater Sahara]] saw major gains in the [[Mali War]], occupying large swathes of territory in southeastern Mali. [[Ansongo]] and [[Tidermène]] were also captured by the group.<ref name=bbc_africatoday>{{citation | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0fgbb9g | publisher=BBC | year=2023 | language=English | title=BBC Africa Today: Islamic State Sahel Province fighters seize commune in Mali | access-date=31 May 2023 | archive-date=11 May 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511065705/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0fgbb9g | url-status=live}}</ref> By mid-2023, the militant group had doubled the amount of territory it controlled since the overthrow of the previous government and establishment of the junta.<ref name=npr>{{citation | url=https://www.npr.org/2023/08/26/1196189708/islamic-state-mali-al-qaida-west-africa-extremist | publisher=NPR | year=2023 | language=English | title=NPR: Islamic State group almost doubled its territory in Mali in under a year, U.N. says | access-date=27 August 2023 | archive-date=27 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827063702/https://www.npr.org/2023/08/26/1196189708/islamic-state-mali-al-qaida-west-africa-extremist | url-status=live}}</ref>

On 10 January 2022, Mali announced the closure of its borders and recalled several ambassadors to ECOWAS countries in response to sanctions placed on Mali for deferring elections for four years.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ahmed |first=Baba |date=10 January 2022|title=Mali's junta deplores new sanctions imposed by regional bloc|url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Mali-s-junta-deplores-new-sanctions-imposed-by-16763433.php|access-date=10 January 2022|website=SFGate |archive-date=10 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110161440/https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Mali-s-junta-deplores-new-sanctions-imposed-by-16763433.php|url-status=live}}</ref> On 4 February, France's ambassador was expelled.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/5/thousands-in-mali-celebrate-expulsion-of-french-ambassador |title=Thousands in Mali celebrate expulsion of French ambassador &#124; Armed Groups News |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=5 February 2022 |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=7 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207034714/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/5/thousands-in-mali-celebrate-expulsion-of-french-ambassador |url-status=live}}</ref> According to [[Human Rights Watch]], Malian troops and suspected Russian mercenaries from the [[Wagner Group]] executed around 300 civilian men in central Mali in March 2022. France had started withdrawing French troops from Mali in February 2022, commencing the end of [[Operation Barkhane]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Mali troops and suspected Russian fighters accused of massacre |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-60997602 |work=BBC News |date=5 April 2022 |access-date=6 April 2022 |archive-date=6 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406192814/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-60997602 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 2 May, the military government announced breaking its defence accords concluded in 2013 with France, constituting an additional step in the deterioration of Malian–French relations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mali: Military government breaks defence accords with France |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/3/malis-junta-breaks-off-from-defence-accords-with-france |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=AlJazeera.com |archive-date=9 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509235754/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/3/malis-junta-breaks-off-from-defence-accords-with-france |url-status=live}}</ref> This latest announcement has been criticized by French authorities and considered as "illegitimate".<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 May 2022 |title=Mali: France opposed to Assimi Goïta's junta demanding an end to defence agreements |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/201855/mali-france-opposed-to-assimi-goitas-junta-demanding-an-end-to-defence-agreements/ |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=The Africa Report.com |archive-date=9 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509155505/https://www.theafricareport.com/201855/mali-france-opposed-to-assimi-goitas-junta-demanding-an-end-to-defence-agreements/ |url-status=live}}</ref> A UN panel reported that in the first three months of 2022, 543 civilians were killed and 269 wounded, warning the 2015 peace agreement between the government and pro-independence groups was threatened by a potential risk of confrontation for the first time in five years. The report also noted a sharp increase in the number of people needing humanitarian assistance over the previous year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 August 2022 |title=UN experts: Malian military and 'white' soldiers killed 33 |url=https://news.yahoo.com/un-experts-malian-military-white-015227805.html |access-date=6 August 2022 |website=Yahoo News |archive-date=6 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806021317/https://news.yahoo.com/un-experts-malian-military-white-015227805.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Sergey Lavrov]], the Russian foreign minister, visited Bamako on 7 February 2023 and said that Moscow would continue to help Mali improve its military capabilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 February 2023 |title=Russian Foreign Minister visits Mali in sign of deepening ties |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/02/08/russian-foreign-minister-sergei-lavrov-visits-mali-in-sign-of-deepening-ties |access-date=9 February 2023 |website=EuroNews |archive-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208210854/http://www.euronews.com/2023/02/08/russian-foreign-minister-sergei-lavrov-visits-mali-in-sign-of-deepening-ties |url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2023, Mali removed French, the language of its former colonizer, as an official language with the approval of a new constitution by 97% of voters in [[2023 Malian constitutional referendum|a referendum]] conducted by the junta.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 August 2023 |title=Mali demotes French, language of its former colonizer, in symbolic move |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/08/03/mali-french-new-constitution/ |access-date=9 February 2023 |newspaper=Washington Post |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803234614/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/08/03/mali-french-new-constitution/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 7 September 2023, al-Qaeda linked [[Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin|JNIM]] militants [[Tombouctou and Bamba attacks|attacked]] a vessel on the [[Niger River]], killing at least 154 civilians.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-01 |title=Mali : Les groupes islamistes armés et l'armée prennent les civils pour cible |url=https://www.hrw.org/fr/news/2023/11/01/mali-les-groupes-islamistes-armes-et-larmee-prennent-les-civils-pour-cible |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214185052/https://www.hrw.org/fr/news/2023/11/01/mali-les-groupes-islamistes-armes-et-larmee-prennent-les-civils-pour-cible |archive-date=14 December 2023 |access-date=2024-01-01 |publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]] |language=fr}}</ref>

In July 2024, [[Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad|CSP-DPA]] rebels and JNIM militants killed dozens of Russian mercenaries and Malian government forces during the [[Battle of Tinzaouaten (2024)|Battle of Tinzaouaten]].<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Darya Tarasova |author2=Tim Lister |author3=Avery Schmitz |date=2024-07-29 |title=Dozens of Russian mercenaries killed in rebel ambush in Mali, in their worst known loss in Africa |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/29/africa/russian-mercenaries-wagner-killed-mali-intl-latam/index.html |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> On 5 August 2024 the Republic of Mali announced that it was severing diplomatic relations with [[Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/mali-announces-severance-of-diplomatic-relations-1722838542.html|title=Mali announces severance of diplomatic relations with Ukraine|publisher=[[RBC-Ukraine|РБК]]|date=5 August 2024|accessdate=5 August 2024|archive-date=5 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805181211/https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/mali-announces-severance-of-diplomatic-relations-1722838542.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Was Ukraine's role in big Wagner defeat an own goal in Africa? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78ld18lgr9o |work=BBC News |date=12 August 2024}}</ref>

On 17 September 2024, al-Qaeda linked JNIM militants [[2024 Bamako attacks|attacked several locations]] across [[Bamako]], killing at least 77 people and injuring 255 others.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2024 |title=Attack by al-Qaeda linked group in Mali killed more than 70 people |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/20/attack-by-al-qaeda-linked-group-in-mali-killed-more-than-70-people |access-date=September 20, 2024 |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English]] |language=en}}</ref>