The African Union has urged swift international action to tackle Mali’s worsening security crisis, as Al Qaeda-linked militants tighten their grip on the country. The insurgent group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has blocked fuel imports since September, crippling schools, businesses, and essential services in the capital, Bamako. This economic warfare has created severe humanitarian conditions for civilians, and these actions have raised alarming questions about the state’s ability to maintain control. AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has now called for stronger global cooperation, intelligence-sharing, and sustained support for Sahel nations battling extremism. He also demanded the release of three kidnapped Egyptians, amid reports that ransom deals are financing JNIM’s operations.
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