As the humanitarian crisis in northeastern Mali continues to worsen, armed groups linked to Islamic State have besieged major towns, leaving residents, including around 80,000 children, vulnerable to malnutrition. The town of Ménaka has been under siege for four months, leading to a scarcity of food and essential goods like medication. The deputy mayor of Ménaka described the situation as catastrophic, with displaced people going from house to house in search of food for their families, and children facing the threat of starvation.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have been battling an insurgency for over a decade, with armed groups, including those allied with al-Qaida and Islamic State, causing insecurity in the region. Following military coups in these countries, the ruling juntas have expelled French forces and turned to Russian mercenary units for security assistance. Despite promises from Col. Assimi Goita, who took charge in Mali after a coup in 2021, the government has reportedly lost ground to the armed groups, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Save the Children reported that around 80,000 children in Ménaka are trapped, facing malnutrition and disease as a result of the blockade. Many of these children are unaccompanied and have fled violence in other parts of the country. The aid group warned that unless the blockade is lifted, the situation could lead to deaths among these vulnerable populations. A man who fled to Ménaka to escape violence shared his struggle to provide for his extended family of 15 members, including women and children, as they rely on scarce aid handouts for survival.
The use of blockades by jihadist groups as a tactic to punish communities for perceived support of the government has been condemned by analysts, who highlighted the violence, hunger, and fear faced by villagers under siege. The tactics have been successful in pressuring communities to sign non-aggression accords with these groups. Despite Goita’s promise to return Mali to democracy by early 2024, the ruling junta has indefinitely canceled elections planned for February 2024, citing the need for further technical preparations. In a concerning move, political activities have been ordered to stop, and the media has been banned from reporting on political activities, raising concerns about the country’s path to democracy and the protection of human rights.
The United Nations and other analysts have expressed alarm over the rapidly deteriorating situation in northeastern Mali, urging immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis affecting thousands of vulnerable residents, including children. The ongoing conflict and insecurity in the region have exacerbated challenges related to food scarcity, access to essential goods, and the threat of malnutrition and disease. As the government grapples with internal turmoil and political instability, the lives and well-being of those trapped in besieged towns like Ménaka hang in the balance, underscoring the urgent need for international intervention and support to alleviate the suffering and prevent further loss of life.
