Assimi Goïta: everything we know so far

Last weekend saw nationwide, coordinated attacks by an alliance of jihadists and separatist rebels in the north - the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) - seeking to overthrow the military regime of Gen Assimi Goïta, who seized power in a coup in 2020. Assimi Goïta has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Ethiopia.

Key facts

• Last weekend saw nationwide, coordinated attacks by an alliance of jihadists and separatist rebels in the north - the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) - seeking to overthrow the military regime of Gen Assimi Goïta, who seized power in a coup in 2020.
• Mali's capital city Bamako - a major West African hub and home to more than three million people - is under a partial blockade by Islamist militants, days after the country's defence minister was assassinated there.
• He was buried on Thursday amid tight security in front of thousands of people, including Goïta, reports the AFP news agency.
• Mali’s military leader Assimi Goita has met the Russian ambassador to the country, according to his office.
• The blockade comes days after Mali's defence minister was assassinated in a series of nationwide attacks.

What we know

Going deeper, Mali's capital city Bamako - a major West African hub and home to more than three million people - is under a partial blockade by Islamist militants, days after the country's defence minister was assassinated there.

On the substance, He was buried on Thursday amid tight security in front of thousands of people, including Goïta, reports the AFP news agency.

Beyond the headlines, Mali’s military leader Assimi Goita has met the Russian ambassador to the country, according to his office.

More precisely, the blockade comes days after Mali's defence minister was assassinated in a series of nationwide attacks.

It is worth noting that ‎According to state media, junta leader Goïta vowed tough action against the insurgents, following an emergency security council meeting on Wednesday.

By the numbers

At this stage, ‎A total blockade has been imposed on Ségou, a town less than 80m (50 miles) from the capital, leaving hundreds of vehicles, trucks, buses and cars, stranded.

On a related note, after a similar alliance of jihadists and ethnic Tuareg separatists advanced on Bamako in 2013, French forces, alongside those from other African countries, intervened to protect the capital.

Going deeper, it has become a part of me since I came here in 2002.

On the substance, list 1 of 4Rival armed groups join forces against the Malian state: What next?

The wider context

On a related note, Goïta also claimed armed and security forces had managed to inflict "heavy losses" on the rebels.

Going deeper, after seizing power, Goïta expelled the French and instead turned to Russia for support but the situation has not improved, culminating in last weekend's attacks.

On the substance, First sighting of Goita since rebel attacks comes as Russia seeks to dampen speculation over ally's military government.

Beyond the headlines, list 2 of 4Timeline: How Mali went from democracy beacon to instability.

More precisely, list 4 of 4What is the Azawad Liberation Front, part of the Mali attacks?

The bottom line

• The blockade comes days after Mali's defence minister was assassinated in a series of nationwide attacks.
• After seizing power, Goïta expelled the French and instead turned to Russia for support but the situation has not improved, culminating in last weekend's attacks.
• After a similar alliance of jihadists and ethnic Tuareg separatists advanced on Bamako in 2013, French forces, alongside those from other African countries, intervened to protect the capital.