The Governor of the Kayes region, General Moussa Soumaré, has extended the nighttime curfew for one month, from October 1 to 30, 2025, in an effort to strengthen security across western Mali following a surge in terrorist activity.
The decision was prompted by a deteriorating security situation, notably coordinated assaults on July 1, 2025, which targeted military facilities in several western localities, including Kayes, Diboli, and Nioro du Sahel. These attacks were attributed to the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate. In retaliation, the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) conducted sweeping operations, reportedly neutralizing over assailants.
The renewed curfew, first imposed in July 2025, restricts all civilian movement between midnight and 5 a.m., allowing exceptions only for authorized defense, security, and medical vehicles. The measure is designed to curb nocturnal movements that could facilitate terrorist infiltration or planned attacks.
General Soumaré praised the resilience of local communities and the commitment of the FAMa, while emphasizing the need for close civil-military cooperation. The extension of the curfew in Kayes follows similar restrictions already in place in Nioro, Timbuktu, and Ségou, underscoring the government’s determination to secure high-risk and strategic areas across the country.
MD/ac/sf/lb/abj/APA