Mali’s military is pushing back against claims it secretly freed about 200 suspected jihadists to secure safe passage for fuel convoys into the capital, Bamako. The allegation surfaced after reports from local officials and security sources suggested detainees were released to secure a temporary truce meant to last until the Muslim festival of Tabaski. But army spokesperson Souleymane Dembele dismissed the reports as baseless and harmful to public trust. The controversy comes as Mali struggles with recurring attacks on tanker routes by militants linked to the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, periodically causing fuel shortages and economic disruptions. As supplies slowly improve, the dispute highlights the fragile balance between security and daily life in the country.
Arise News
