By Paul Ejime
In a demonstration of solidarity, the ECOWAS Commission on Monday condemned the recent attacks that reportedly killed dozens of Mali defence and security forces in Tin Zaouatine district, along Mali’s northern border with Algeria.
“ECOWAS is following with concern the evolution of the security situation in Mali and strongly condemns the recent attacks on members of the Malian defence and security services in Tin Zaouatine in the north of the country, which resulted in several victims among the Malian forces,” the Commission said in a statement.
It also “extends its sincere condolences to the Government and People of the Republic of Mali, as well as the families of the victims.”
The Commission made no mention of Russia private military Group Wagner forces, some of whom also died during the attacks.
The Commission, however, expressed “its firm disapproval and strong condemnation of any foreign interference that may pose a threat to peace and security in West Africa, and any attempt to drag the region into clashes on geopolitical issues.”
ECOWAS reiterated “its firm commitment and availability” for any initiative devoted to peace, security and stability in the region, the statement added.
Mali is one of the three army-ruled Alliance of Sahel States, AES, which have decided to withdraw membership from ECOWAS, claiming the regional bloc was being externally influenced, and has not helped the three countries to fight insecurity. The two other AES members are Burkina Faso and Niger.
However, consistent with its protocol, ECOWAS says it is still engaging with the Alliance member States for them to return to the fold within the 12-month notice for any membership withdrawal to take effect.
ECOWAS is also encouraging the three and Guinea, the fourth military-ruled member State to return to constitutional rule with a shorter transition timetable, instead of their announced lengthy programmes with suspected agenda of power grab and tenure elongation.
A coalition of armed groups in Mali’s predominantly Tuareg north claimed on 27 July, that it “killed dozens of government soldiers and Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group in a battle near the border with Algeria.”
Social media platforms shared videos of lifeless bodies of several white men and Malian soldiers scattered on the ground alongside destroyed military vehicles.
The claim by the rebel group followed a statement on 25 July by the Malian Army saying two soldiers had been killed and 10 others were wounded in a rebel attack that also disabled four military vehicles. The Army said its troops killed a score of the rebels and destroyed several vehicles.
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesman for the Tuareg pro-independence CSP-DPA coalition, said in a statement that in the two-day battle the rebels “routed the entire column of Malian Army and Russian mercenaries.”
He claimed that “the enemy suffered huge losses in terms of lives and equipment, including dozens of dead and wounded,” adding that some “Malian soldiers and mercenaries from Wagner groups surrendered to the Tuareg fighters.”
Following the attacks, the Mali junta has severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine after accusing Ukraine of passing on intelligence to the rebels for the ambush/attacks.
The Tuaregs have been fighting for independence from Mali for decades, with occasional bouts of deadly clashes with government forces.
The presence of French troops from 2012 and more than 14,000-strong United Nations Mission did not end insecurity in Mali and the military junta led by Col Assimi Goita from the military coup that toppled the civil government in 2020, has expelled the French forces and asked the UN mission to leave the country.
