UNITED NATIONS: In a recent report by United Nations experts concerning developments in Mali, it has been revealed that Daesh extremists have significantly expanded their territorial influence within the span of one year, nearly doubling the area under their control.
These unsettling findings are coupled with the emergence of opportunistic activities by Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups, who are capitalizing on the impasse created by the 2015 peace agreement and the apparent vulnerabilities of the armed factions that signed it.
The report underscores how the stagnant implementation of the 2015 peace accord, along with persistent attacks on local communities, has provided fertile ground for both Daesh and Al-Qaeda factions to recreate a scenario reminiscent of the destabilizing events that unfolded in 2012. Back then, a military coup followed by the establishment of an Islamic state by rebels in the north had led to a period of chaos. Although external intervention led by French forces eventually ousted the extremist rebels from power in the northern regions, they adapted by relocating to more populous central areas of Mali in 2015, maintaining their activities.
The panel of experts, responsible for the report, underscores the crucial role of effective implementation of the peace agreement, particularly with regards to disarming, demobilizing, and reintegrating combatants into society. The failure to accomplish this has inadvertently empowered groups like Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa Al-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, to vie for leadership in northern Mali.
Additionally, continuous violence and attacks by Daesh fighters in the Greater Sahara have eroded the perception of the signatories of the peace deal as reliable security providers. This has created an opening for JNIM to step in, positioning itself as the primary entity capable of safeguarding the vulnerable populations from the threats posed by the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara.
Interestingly, the report highlights the detached stance of Mali’s military rulers, who are observed to be observing the escalating confrontation between Daesh and Al-Qaeda groups from a distance. While some sources indicate that the government anticipates eventual benefits from this internal extremist rivalry, others suggest that the passage of time favors the terrorist groups, allowing them to strengthen their military capabilities and broaden their community influence.
The report also touches on the decision of Mali’s junta to expel the UN peacekeeping force and its international troops in June, marking the end of a decade-long effort to counter the jihadi insurgency. This move has sparked concerns among armed groups that endorsed the 2015 agreement, as they fear the peace deal could unravel without the mediation and support of the UN force, potentially leading to renewed conflict in the northern regions.
Additionally, the report paints a grim picture of the overall turmoil and abuses taking place within the country. Beyond the extremist threat, the panel points out the competition among terrorist groups, the signatories of the 2015 agreement, and transnational organized crime networks for control over trade and trafficking routes passing through the Gao and Kidal regions. The report also highlights Mali’s status as a hotspot for drug trafficking in West Africa, with some of the main drug dealers reportedly operating from the capital, Bamako.
Perhaps most alarming is the persistent conflict-related sexual violence in certain regions of Mali. The report raises concern about the involvement of foreign security partners, particularly the Wagner Group, in these abuses. The panel suggests that such acts of violence against women and other grave human rights violations are being exploited by these foreign entities to spread terror among the local populations.
