The Confederation of Sahel States has strongly condemned the recent coordinated attacks in Mali, describing them as part of a “plot” aimed at destabilizing the confederation’s space. In a statement signed in Ouagadougou, AES president Ibrahim Traoré said the assaults of April 25 bore the hallmarks of “long-planned actions” intended to inflict heavy losses on defense forces and spread fear among civilians. He further alleged that the persistence of such attacks reflects a broader effort by actors opposed to the sovereignist direction pursued by AES member states.
Despite the scale of the offensive, the confederation praised the response of the Malian armed forces, describing it as “professional, courageous and determined,” and credited it with foiling what it called a “macabre plan.” The AES reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the fight for sovereignty, freedom and dignity in the Sahel, while expressing condolences to victims’ families and support for the injured. It also reiterated its “total, unconditional and fraternal” backing for Mali, its authorities and its military, pledging to continue the struggle until the “total liberation” of the confederation’s territory.
