Ethiopia, 9 November 2025 -The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has called for an urgent and coordinated international response to the escalating security and humanitarian crisis in Mali, expressing deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating situation on the ground.
He noted that terrorist groups have imposed a suffocating blockade that has cut off vital supplies and worsened the humanitarian suffering of civilians, emphasizing that such acts represent a direct threat to peace and stability across the Sahel region.
The Chairperson strongly condemned the deliberate attacks against civilians, which have caused deaths, reaffirming the African Union’s solidarity with the Government and people of Mali, as well as with families of the victims, and its enduring commitment to supporting efforts for peace, security, and development in the region.
He also denounced incidents of kidnapping, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of those detained, stressing that such actions constitute a grave violation of human rights and international humanitarian law.
The Chairperson urged the international community to formulate a strong and coordinated response to confront terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel, through enhanced regional cooperation, information sharing, and the provision of technical and financial assistance to countries concerned, in line with the resolutions of Ministerial Meeting No. 1304 held on 30 September 2025.
Youssouf reaffirmed the African Union’s full readiness to support Mali and all Sahel countries during this critical period and to provide the necessary assistance to strengthen the path toward sustainable peace and stability in the region.
