The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) are stepping up their efforts to protect key trade routes.
The army recently escorted a convoy of oil tankers and other vehicles from Senegal to Mali, following a series of counterterrorism operations in the Kayes region and the release of kidnapped Senegalese truck drivers.
The Directorate of Communications and Public Relations of the Armed Forces (Dirpa) confirmed that the convoy, which included petroleum tankers and civilian vehicles, arrived at its destination without incident. Lieutenant Mamadou Coulibaly, the mission’s leader, thanked the public for their trust and cooperation with the army.
This mission comes after FAMa conducted a series of operations against armed groups in the Kayes region. According to military reports, an aerial strike on September 9 destroyed a terrorist base and eliminated dozens of fighters. In a separate mission, four individuals were arrested with dozens of cell phones.
These actions were taken just days after six Senegalese truck drivers who had been kidnapped in the same area were released. Army spokesperson Colonel-Major Souleymane Dembele stated that armed groups are now using new tactics, such as drones and improvised explosive devices, to block traffic on the vital Bamako-Kayes corridor.
Securing this route is critical for Mali’s economy and its trade relationship with Senegal. In 2024, Mali was Senegal’s largest African partner, importing more than 802 billion CFA francs in goods—over half of Senegal’s exports to the continent.
MD/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA