Chinese firm torched in Mali near Senegalese border

As militant violence continues to erupt through Mali, a recent attack in Kayes signals jihadists might be expanding their reach into the country’s western border area near Senegal.

The Chinese firm Covec, which specializes in construction, reported that its warehouses, cranes, and tractors were set ablaze, according to Afrique-RFI on May 26. The company is currently building the Kayes-Diéma road; however, the attack has damaged key infrastructure, bringing the project to a halt.

An employee from the company described the attacks: “The jihadists were not numerous, but they had a detailed plan of the site, which allowed them to quickly achieve their objectives.” Another worker added, “The attackers did whatever they wanted at the group’s site and left without being challenged.”

Some reports have claimed that a secondary aim of the group was to take Chinese officials hostage, however, those targeted were not present.

The incident marks a surge in militant activity in the region, following attacks earlier this month on May 12 which targeted an artisanal gold mining site in Southern Mali, also operated by Chinese nationals.

Though neither attack has been officially traced, some analysts have claimed they bear the hallmark of the Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) group, a designated terrorist organization linked to al-Qaida. The group has usually been active in the commune of Narena, some 100 kilometers southwest of the capital, Bamako.

Mali’s problem with extremist groups has been long-standing. In 2020, a group of military officers seized power in a coup against Mali’s democratically elected president, promising to restore security to the region.

Junta leaders have since cut ties with traditional partners, notably France and the European Union, who had troops in the country as part of the fight against extremists and forged new links with Russia.

But they have struggled to stem the tide of terrorism, with some analysts reporting that attacks by armed groups have actually increased since the military took power.

The recent attacks highlight the region’s vulnerability to jihadist expansion beyond Mali’s traditional hotspots, as well as underscore the growing threat to foreign interests and stability in western Mali.

Afrique-RFI/ Maghrebi