An armed group attacked a wedding ceremony in central Mali, resulting in the tragic death of at least 21 people. The incident occurred in the village of Djiguibombo, near Bandiagara, pointing towards jihadist involvement according to local officials. Mali’s military rulers have been fighting extremist violence but face challenges.
Guests massacred, homes looted
The attackers arrived on motorcycles, disrupting the celebration by killing attendees, with many having their throats slit. The prolonged attack saw homes looted, a health center burnt, and livestock stolen – a common occurrence in the region which has faced continuous violence and insecurity.
Security situation worsening
Central and northern Mali have been plagued by instability since terrorist groups emerged in 2012. The security crisis escalated after the military coup in 2020, leading to a decline in cooperation with France and subsequent resurgence of extremist activities. The violence has claimed thousands of lives and displaced numerous civilians, underscoring the government’s struggle to maintain peace.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, although it bears resemblance to previous actions by the JNIM extremist group. The grim reality of ongoing violence in Mali continues to threaten lives and stability in the region.