Mali, along with the broader Sahel region, has endured decades of conflict characterized by insurgencies and political instability. Since its independence, the country has grappled with the Tuareg rebellion, a long-standing conflict rooted in economic marginalization, cultural divisions, and political grievances. For over sixty years, this rebellion has created a rift between Mali’s central government and its northern populations. Political instability – marked by repeated coups and prolonged military rule – has only worsened conditions, exacerbating issues such as poverty, food insecurity, insufficient infrastructure, poor access to education, and unreliable energy supplies.

Over time, the conflict has become even more complex with the rise of transnational terrorist organizations. Groups like Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), affiliates of Al Qaeda, and the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) have expanded their influence, embedding themselves within local communities and spreading extremist ideologies. However, viewing Mali’s crisis solely through the lens of terrorism oversimplifies the root causes of the violence and the challenges facing counterterrorism efforts.

Many analysts argue that the Malian government’s approach to the crisis is fundamentally flawed. By framing the situation as a counterterrorism effort, the government has relied heavily on conventional military strategies aimed at eliminating high-profile targets, such as leaders of groups like AQIM, Ansar Dine, and al-Mourabitoun – now operating collectively under JNIM. While these tactics are part of the solution, they fail to address the deeper, more systemic issues driving the conflict.

Experts suggest that the Malian government’s strategy should shift from a narrow counterterrorism framework to a broader counterinsurgency approach. Unlike counterterrorism, which focuses on surveillance and high-value military targets, counterinsurgency emphasizes addressing the social, economic, and political grievances that fuel........

© Blitz