Sovereignty, the plane and the road in Mali… Nioro resists Al-Qaeda
Nothing puts the situation in Nioro, Mali, to the test more than a road journey to a city under Al-Qaeda’s grip. There, a prolonged siege continues, broken only by faint optimism.
Across the African country, the transitional authorities recently marked the “Day of the Restoration of Sovereignty”, an event created by the military council to commemorate the mass demonstrations of 2022 against the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
But in the south, on the border with Mauritania, and more specifically in Nioro du Sahel, the circumstances were hardly suitable for a similar celebration. The siege imposed on the city by a terrorist faction since September 3 has sealed it off, preventing any entry or exit.
Despite this, the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Youba Ba, insisted on visiting the city especially for the occasion, in an attempt to share the event with its residents, whose number is estimated at more than 50,000.
Speaking to Radio France Internationale, Ba sought to reassure, stating: “The situation in Nioro is under control.”
A native of the city, Youba Ba arrived in Nioro on Monday aboard an aircraft, the same flight that carried the regional governor, who had also been in Bamako.
Sovereignty, the plane and the road
The minister celebrated the “Day of the Restoration of Sovereignty” in Nioro, an event organized by Mali’s transitional authorities for the fourth consecutive year.
Official statements issued by the ministry and the governorate describe the raising of the national flag and a “model lesson” delivered to students, but make no mention whatsoever of the siege imposed on Nioro by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims for nearly five months.
According to several residents interviewed by the French radio station, the minister’s arrival by air does not allow him to grasp their daily suffering under Al-Qaeda’s blockade. In their view, only the road can truly reflect the reality they face.
On the very day the minister arrived, fears of a terrorist attack on the city prompted the army to go on alert, leading schools to send students back to their homes.
According to many residents of Nioro, terrorist groups control all surrounding roads and prevent anyone from entering or leaving the city. At least forty people who risked their lives have been detained and are currently being held captive.
One resident told the Radio France Internationale newsroom in Mandinka and Fulfulde: “The terrorists are one kilometre from the city. If they catch someone and see in their papers that they are from Nioro, they kidnap or kill them. We dare not go out.”
On Tuesday, the day after the minister’s arrival, a teacher working in the nearby town of Bema was abducted near Fassoudébé, on the road leading to Nioro, and has since joined the ranks of hostages held by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims.
On January 3, the Malian army announced the release of a hostage “along with his vehicle” near the village of Goril Haïré, northwest of Nioro, without providing further details about the operation.
Food and medicine
Residents contacted by Radio France Internationale reported a growing shortage of food, medicine and fuel, in addition to major disruptions in water and electricity supplies.
The scarcity of certain products has also led to rising prices.
When questioned about these issues, Minister Youba Ba, who reiterated on Thursday morning that he had not left the city, repeatedly stated: “The situation in Nioro is under control.”
