In northeastern Mali, a dire humanitarian crisis is deteriorating as armed factions affiliated with Islamic State besiege major towns, leaving approximately 80,000 children and other residents vulnerable to malnutrition, local sources and an aid organization cautioned on Wednesday.
Ménaka Siege: Four Months of Desperation
The town of Ménaka has endured a relentless siege for four months, leading to soaring food prices and scarcity of essential supplies such as medication, according to reports from residents and aid agencies.
“The humanitarian situation is dire, with displaced individuals resorting to door-to-door appeals for sustenance for their families. Children are particularly at risk of malnutrition,” stated Wani Ould Hamadi, deputy mayor of Ménaka, in an interview with the Associated Press.
For over a decade, Mali, alongside neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, has grappled with an insurgency waged by various armed groups, some of which are aligned with al-Qaida and Islamic State. Recent military coups in all three nations have resulted in the expulsion of French forces, with the ruling authorities turning to Russian mercenary units for security support instead.
Children Trapped: Facing Harsh Realities
Following a second coup in 2021, Col. Assimi Goita assumed leadership in Mali with promises to combat armed factions. However, the United Nations and analysts observe a swift deterioration in government control.
Save the Children reported that approximately 80,000 children are confined within Ménaka, grappling with malnutrition and illness. Many of them are unaccompanied, having fled violence in other regions.
“Children in Ménaka endure a harrowing ordeal. Let’s be clear: unless the blockade is lifted, starvation and disease will claim lives,” asserted Siaka Ouattara, the country director, in a statement.
Ayouba Ag Nadroun, who sought refuge in Ménaka to escape violence elsewhere, expressed his inability to provide for his extended family of around 15 members, predominantly women and children. He relies on scarce aid handouts for survival. “I’m unemployed. How can I support them?” he lamented to the AP.
“The blockades subject villagers to violence, hunger, and fear, serving as tactics by jihadist groups to punish communities perceived to support the government,” noted Sahel analyst Corinne Dufka. She added that such measures often coerce communities into signing non-aggression agreements with these groups.
Political Upheaval: Pledges Broken
Mali’s leader, Goita, pledged to restore democracy to the country by early 2024. However, in September, the junta indefinitely postponed the scheduled February 2024 elections, citing the necessity for additional technical preparations.
Recently, the ruling junta commanded a halt to all political activities and, the next day, instructed the media to cease coverage of political affairs.
