Malian Minister of Religious Affairs, Worship and Customs Dr. Mahamadou Oumar Koné has denied rumours of a siege of Bamako by jihadists who were blamed for a disruption in the supply of fuel.
Koné insisted that the government remains in full control of the country despite the ongoing fuel crisis amid reports by foreign media that the capital has been encircled.
Speaking in Arabic to Al Arabiya from Jeddah, Dr. Koné dismissed claims that armed groups were surrounding the capital, describing the term “siege” as “a word used by Western agencies motiviaed by ill will toward Mali.
Responding to questions about increased attacks by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM)—an Al-Qaeda affiliate in the Sahel—and recent supply disruptions, the minister acknowledged that the country was facing a fuel shortage caused by terrorist groups, but stressed that the Malian army was confronting these challenges with courage and determination.
He firmly ruled out any threat of a government collapse, declaring: “there can be no overthrow in Bamako because of terrorists. If these groups had such capacity, they would have already done so elsewhere.”
Dr. Koné rejected reports from international news agencies suggesting that the capital was under siege and urged Al Arabiya “not to repeat such terms fabricated by Western media.”
He also dismissed rumours about diplomatic missions leaving Bamako, assuring foreign diplomats that they remain safe and that “the government now controls the entire national territory.”
Asked about the possibility of talks with armed groups, the minister was unequivocal: “Negotiation is not an option unless these groups first lay down their arms.”
He emphasised that total disarmament and a return to national loyalty were non-negotiable preconditions for dialogue.
Dr. Koné concluded by thanking Mali’s economic partners and transport operators for maintaining supply chains “despite the difficulties,” while condemning what he described as “media manipulations by certain Western countries coveting Mali’s resources.”
AC/lb/as/APA