“The regime will fall, sooner or later”: in Mali, the rebels intend to “liberate” the cities of Gao, Timbuktu and Ménaka

After announcing that it controls the town of Kidal, in the northwest of Mali, the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) intends to “liberate” Timbuktu, Gao and Ménaka, announced Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the Tuareg rebels, this Wednesday April 29. “The regime will fall, sooner or later,” he promised.

“It will fall, they have no solution to stay in power (…) Faced with the FLA offensive to recover the territory of Azawad (northern Mali, editor’s note) on the one hand, and the offensive of the others (the JNIM jihadists) on Bamako and other cities, they will not be able to hold on,” affirmed Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane.

The “objective” of the rebels “is for Russia to definitively withdraw from Azawad and beyond, from all of Mali,” he continued, assuring that all the confrontations we had with the Russians, we won.

Mali faces a critical security situation and is plagued by uncertainty after attacks which left at least 23 civilians and soldiers dead this weekend.

France advises its nationals to leave the country

“After the attacks on Saturday April 25 in several localities in the country, including Bamako, the security situation remains extremely volatile,” the Quai d’Orsay said on Wednesday, recommending French nationals present in Mali “to plan a temporary departure as soon as possible by commercial flights still available.”

“As a reminder, it remains strictly not recommended to travel to Mali, whatever the reason,” indicates French diplomacy.

In total, 4,200 French people are registered in the consular register, to which must be added those who are not registered, estimated at around 3,000. Two-thirds of them are dual nationals living in Bamako.

The head of the junta in Mali, Assimi Goïta, affirmed Tuesday that the security situation in the country was “under control”, three days after unprecedented attacks carried out by armed groups against strategic positions of the junta, more weakened than ever.