Panafrican News Agency

ECOWAS Commission strongly condemns terrorist attack at Mali military base

Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has strongly condemned Friday's terrorist attack carried out with vehicle-borne explosive devises on the Kati military base, 15 km from the Malian capital, Bamako.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the ECOWAS Commission commended "the bravery and vigilance of the Malian soldiers in halting this heinous attack and swiftly bringing the situation under control".

ECOWAS expresed deep symathhy to the families of the victims of the terror attack and commiserated with the Givernment and people of Mali.

"The commission reiterates its determination to accompany the people of the Republic of Mali towards a successful transition and stability in the country," the statement said.

The Malian government says one soldier was killed and seven suspected terrorists were neutralised when it "vigorously repelled" the attack, the most daring by jihadists, striking at the heart of the government at the military base where the leader of the military junta, Colonel Assimi Goita, and several military leaders reside.

Six people were wounded, including one civilian, the government said.

The terrorists used two booby-trapped vehicles packed with explosives against an installation of the Directorate of Material, Hydrocarbons and Transport of the Armed Forces.

The government, in a press release issued later in the day, announced that it had arrested eight suspected terrorists and recovered a lot of equipment.

Significantly, on Thursday morning, the gendarmerie brigade and the Special Anti-Terrorist Force (FORSAT) camp in Kolokani, 124 km west of Bamako, was attacked by unidentified armed individuals, leaving three soldiers dead and two gendarmes wounded.

Military sources said Thursday's terrorist attack was carried out by heavily armed assailants who arrived in several vehicles. They ransacked and set fire to equipment. 

Reinforcements supported by an Air Force helicopter went to the scene but the attackers had already withdrawn. 

Then on Friday morning heavy gunfire and explosions rocked the military base at Kati at 5 am (GMT), perpetrated by the al-Qaeda-linked group, Katiba Macina.

Colonel Goïta seized power in August 2020 and has just agreed to a transition timetable leading to elections in March 2024.

Mali has been fighting jihadists for about one decade leading to insecurity, huge casualties, destruction, and poverty.

ECOWAS heads of state at their meeting in Accra on 3 July, lifted economic and financial sanctions imposed on Mali last January with immediate effect after the two sides agreed the transition timetable.

Mali's borders with ECOWAS countries have also been reopened and Ambassadors who were withdrawn as part of the sanctions would return to their posts. 

However, Malii is still suspended from all activities of the ECOWAS bloc and sanctions against individuals would remain.

-0- PANA MA 23July2022