Tuareg separatist leaders have called for the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Mali, warning that the country’s ruling military junta will eventually collapse under mounting pressure from insurgent offensives.
Speaking in Paris, Mohamed El-Mouloud said the junta “will fall sooner or later,” citing coordinated attacks by Tuareg separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front and fighters from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).
“They have no solution to remain in power,” El-Mouloud said, adding that separatist forces are working to reclaim Azawad — northern Mali — while jihadist groups intensify attacks on Bamako and other cities.
Another Tuareg figure, Ramadan Ag Erla, stressed that their primary objective is “the permanent withdrawal of Russia from Azawad and from Mali as a whole,” claiming rebel forces had prevailed in all direct confrontations with Russian units.
The statements come amid a sharp deterioration in security across Mali following coordinated attacks earlier this week.
In response, French Foreign Ministry urged French nationals in Mali to leave “as soon as possible,” warning that the situation remains highly volatile.
The ministry advised citizens to stay indoors, limit movement, follow local authorities’ instructions, and keep relatives informed until they are able to depart. It also reiterated its recommendation against all travel to Mali.
The warning follows large-scale attacks carried out over the weekend by Tuareg rebels and jihadist fighters, including assaults on a major military base and areas near Bamako’s international airport.
Rebel forces also reportedly pushed back Russian personnel supporting Malian government troops from the northern town of Kidal, a key strategic stronghold.
Mali’s military leader vowed on Tuesday to “neutralise” those responsible for the attacks, as the country faces one of its most serious security crises in recent years.
