After enduring months of isolation imposed by armed terrorist groups, the town of Sebabougou, located in the Diéma circle of the Nioro region within Mali’s Sahel, has been liberated by a large-scale military operation conducted by the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa), launched on Monday, April 28, 2025.
The military intervention in Sebabougou, situated in the Nioro region, was initiated with the primary objectives of restoring public order, ensuring the safety and protection of civilian populations, and facilitating the gradual return of those who had been displaced by the conflict.
Since late 2024, the town of Sebabougou had been effectively under an embargo imposed by disorganized but persistent armed groups. These groups severely restricted the movement of essential goods, people, and vital humanitarian aid into the area. Facing increasing pressure and dire living conditions, a significant portion of Sebabougou’s residents were forced to flee to neighboring municipalities, consequently exacerbating the already precarious humanitarian situation in this part of the Malian Sahel.
The FAMa launched their decisive military operation on the morning of April 28th, successfully regaining control of the town by early afternoon. During their advance, the Malian units decisively thwarted an ambush orchestrated by the terrorists. Following the initial recapture, the FAMa consolidated their position through targeted airstrikes against known terrorist fallback bases located in the surrounding forested areas.
The provisional casualty report released by the General Staff of the Armed Forces indicates that five Malian soldiers sustained injuries and received treatment from medical services. In contrast, twenty-one terrorists were reportedly neutralized during the operation. Additionally, the FAMa successfully recovered a substantial quantity of military equipment, communications gear, vehicles, and logistical supplies within the town. The subsequent airstrikes also resulted in the destruction of several key enemy strongholds in the vicinity.
This recent military action in Sebabougou was part of a broader offensive launched between April 11th and 15th, during which Malian forces dismantled several terrorist bases in the areas of Sebabougou, Gomitira, Wataye, Tongui Forest, Niamakoro, Kouloufladiengue, Fadiabougou, Donibabougou, Douala, Nelou, Sirado, and Kwala. Despite these earlier military successes, armed groups had continued to harass the civilian population of Sebabougou, attempting to maintain their authority through violence and intimidation.
Testimonies gathered from reliable local sources and independently verified by multiple Malian media outlets paint a grim picture of the living conditions in Sebabougou prior to the FAMa intervention. These accounts detailed severe supply shortages, stringent restrictions on movement, widespread violence, and constant threats from the armed groups. The FAMa intervention, therefore, extends beyond its military objectives, representing a crucial response to a critical humanitarian emergency facing the besieged population.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces has assured the public that all necessary measures will be implemented to ensure lasting security in the Sebabougou area, protect the returning civilian population, facilitate the free movement of people and goods, and prevent any future attempts by armed groups to re-establish their presence in the region. Enhanced surveillance measures have already been put in place around Sebabougou and its surrounding areas to maintain stability.
In their official statement, the General Staff of the Armed Forces commended the professionalism and unwavering courage of the Malian soldiers involved in the operation. They also emphasized that the ongoing fight to stabilize the central and northern regions of Mali requires constant and determined action against the persistent threat of armed terrorist groups.
MD/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA