Mali: Exiled Imam Urges End to Sahel Region’s Jihadist Violence. Bamako, Mali — Exiled Malian imam Mahmoud Dicko has called for an end to the ongoing jihadist violence in the Sahel region, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive solution for the entire sub-region. Over the past decade, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have been targets of attacks from jihadist groups associated with Al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
In a statement on Thursday, Imam Dicko, who once served as the president of Mali’s High Islamic Council, called for unity and peace. “We must find a solution for the entire sub-region,” he stated.
The countries, currently led by military juntas that seized power through coups, have been critical of France, their former colonial power. France had been a key ally in the fight against jihadism, but their troops have been expelled, with new ties forming, particularly with Russia, according to analysts.
The imam is a prominent figure in Mali and was instrumental in inspiring the protest movement that led to the fall of Mali’s last elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, in a coup six years ago.
Regional officials confirmed the imam’s call for peace, adding that the ongoing violence has taken a heavy toll on the Sahel region, affecting both civilian populations and security efforts. Further details regarding the next steps in the peace process are expected to emerge in the coming days.
In the meantime, the Sahel countries continue to grapple with the challenges posed by the jihadist groups, as well as the political instability caused by the military juntas.
