Dozens killed in jihadist attacks on villages in central Mali
At least 67 civilians were reportedly killed in coordinated raids on three villages in central Mali. Local officials say the attacks were carried out by the Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin group. The transitional government has declared a state of emergency in the Mopti region.
The attacks happened at dawn on Monday in the villages of Diafarabé, Sofara and Boni, south of Bandiagara. One village chief told the BBC that armed men arrived on motorbikes and set fire to houses. Red Cross teams said they were struggling to evacuate the wounded to hospitals in Mopti.
The Malian army said Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, also known as JNIM, had claimed responsibility. Colonel Assimi Goïta, who heads the transitional junta, declared a three-week state of emergency. ECOWAS and the United Nations regional offices issued statements of condemnation.
The attacks come days after reports that Russia's Africa Corps paramilitary contractors carried out air operations in the area. Security across the Sahel is deteriorating. Mali depends on gold exports, and the junta's mining negotiations with Brussels and Beijing now face possible delays.
More from Africa
South Africa's president faces resignation calls after court ruling
South Africa's Constitutional Court ruled that President Cyril Ramaphosa's failure to submit a commission report to parliament on time amounted to a breach of the constitution. Opposition parties called for his resignation. The rand fell about 1.2 percent against the dollar after the ruling.
Mali junta leader names himself defence minister after predecessor killed
Mali's military junta leader has assumed the role of defence minister after his predecessor, Sadio Camara, was killed in a major offensive by combined jihadist and separatist forces.
Former Botswana President Festus Mogae Dies Aged 86
Former Botswana President Festus Mogae has died at the age of 86. He led the southern African nation from 1998 to 2008 and is remembered for diamond-driven growth and an early HIV/AIDS response.