Mali’s ruling military junta said its forces were battling what it described as “terrorist groups” that launched surprise dawn assaults on military positions around Bamako and in several regional cities, while authorities insisted the situation was under control.

Helicopters circled over the capital and around Bamako’s international airport as fighting was reported near the Kati military base, a strategic garrison town where junta leader General Assimi Goïta resides.

JNIM, an armed group linked to Al-Qaeda, said the attacks were carried out jointly with the FLA, a coalition of Tuareg separatist rebels active in northern Mali.“Together, we are carrying out a veritable transformation, in the service of religion, of the country and of the people,” the group said in a statement.

JNIM claimed its fighters targeted the residences of Goïta and Defense Minister General Sadio Camara, as well as Bamako international airport and other military installations.Witnesses reported intense clashes in Kati and other urban centers, while online footage showed armed militants moving through streets in contested areas.

The FLA separately said it had seized control of Kidal, a key northern city long regarded as a symbolic stronghold of Tuareg separatist movements.“Our FLA troops control Kidal, most of Kidal,” FLA spokesman Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane told AFP, adding that the regional governor had taken refuge at the former camp of the United Nations peacekeeping mission MINUSMA.

The Malian army said “terrorist groups” had attacked “certain points and barracks in the capital and the interior” early Saturday, but later stated that 16 civilians and soldiers were injured and that only limited material damage had been recorded.“The situation is fully under control in all the localities targeted,” the junta said.

Analysts said the scale and coordination of the attacks marked a serious escalation.“We’re looking at a major coordinated offensive across the country on a level unseen since 2012 when the government lost half the country,” said Charlie Werb of Aldebaran Threat Consultants.

Fighting was also reported in Gao and Kidal in the north and in the central city of Sevare, highlighting the geographic spread of the offensive.Russia’s Foreign Ministry said around 250 fighters had attacked Bamako airport and a nearby military base, adding that the assault had been repelled.“The Russian side expresses deep concern over the unfolding events,” the ministry said on Telegram.

Russian military support has become central to Mali’s security strategy since the junta severed defense ties with former colonial power France and strengthened cooperation with Moscow. Russia’s Africa Corps, operating under the Russian defense ministry, replaced the Wagner mercenary group in supporting Malian forces.

Since 2012, Mali has faced a prolonged insurgency involving jihadist groups, criminal networks and separatist movements. The military leadership, which seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, justified its takeover partly on promises to restore security, but attacks have continued across the country.

Thousands have been killed and tens of thousands displaced by the violence, with many fleeing to neighboring states.African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf condemned the attacks, warning that the renewed violence risked exposing civilians to significant harm.

The whereabouts of Goïta were not immediately clear, while speculation also surrounded Camara after residents reported that a powerful explosion had heavily damaged his residence in Kati. His entourage later said he was safe.

The streets of Bamako remained largely deserted into the evening as security forces maintained a heavy presence and sporadic gunfire continued in parts of the city.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, he urged the international community to act decisively and responsibly to stop the flow of weapons and external involvement that fuel instability in the war-torn nation.

Guterres highlighted that the Sudanese people have endured immense suffering due to the prolonged violence, which has displaced millions and created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

He stressed that the priority must now be on promoting dialogue, reconciliation, and humanitarian access rather than escalating military confrontations.

According to him, true peace can only be achieved when Sudan’s future is determined by its own people, free from external pressure or manipulation.

The Secretary-General called on all nations to honor international law and refrain from actions that could worsen the conflict.

He emphasized the need for unity among global and regional powers to promote peace initiatives that respect Sudan’s sovereignty and ensure the protection of civilians.

Guterres reaffirmed the United Nations’ readiness to support negotiations and provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the fighting.

In his remarks, Guterres also noted that regional cooperation, particularly through organizations like the African Union and neighboring states, is vital to achieving stability.

He urged countries supplying arms to the conflicting parties to halt such activities immediately, warning that continued interference only deepens divisions and prolongs the suffering of innocent civilians.

He expressed appreciation for ongoing diplomatic efforts by African and Middle Eastern nations aimed at facilitating dialogue between the warring sides.

However, he cautioned that these efforts would remain fragile without a unified international stance against external interference and illicit arms transfers.

The Secretary-General reiterated that peace in Sudan is not only crucial for the Sudanese people but also for the broader stability of the African continent.

The conflict’s spillover effects, including refugee flows and border tensions, have affected several neighboring countries, making the need for resolution more urgent than ever.

Guterres reaffirmed that the UN will continue to coordinate with humanitarian agencies and local partners to deliver aid to those in need.

He called on the global community to increase funding and logistical support for relief operations, ensuring that displaced families receive food, shelter, and medical assistance.

His message at the ASEAN Summit resonated as a reminder that global peace and regional cooperation are interconnected.

The Secretary-General emphasized that crises such as Sudan’s cannot be resolved through military means but through collective action, compassion, and diplomacy.

He called on the international community to unite in preventing the further deterioration of the situation and to support efforts that prioritize the dignity and future of the Sudanese people.

By urging restraint, accountability, and cooperation, Guterres once again placed the focus on humanity and justice at the heart of international diplomacy.

His appeal reinforces the UN’s ongoing mission—to stand for peace, safeguard human rights, and help nations rebuild their futures through dialogue, understanding, and shared responsibility.

The candidates, Egypt’s Khaled el-Enany and the Republic of Congo’s Firmin Édouard Matoko, bring diverse expertise and visions for the future of the Paris-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Both contenders are widely recognized for their dedication to advancing UNESCO’s mission and fostering international collaboration.

Khaled el-Enany, an Egyptian antiquities expert and former tourism and antiquities minister, is supported by the African Union and the Arab League. He brings deep experience in cultural preservation, education, and heritage management, having worked as a tour guide through Egypt’s historic sites and earned a doctorate in France.

If chosen, el-Enany is expected to prioritize UNESCO’s cultural programs, including the protection of World Heritage sites, promotion of historical education, and efforts to combat antisemitism and religious intolerance. His election would mark a historic milestone as the potential first Arab leader of UNESCO, highlighting the organization’s global inclusivity and commitment to diverse perspectives.

Firmin Édouard Matoko, a Congolese economist and longtime UNESCO official, offers decades of experience in education, peacebuilding, and international development. Having worked in Rwanda, El Salvador, Somalia, and beyond, Matoko has a proven track record in delivering practical, impactful solutions in challenging environments.

He emphasizes the importance of moving UNESCO toward technical solutions, ensuring that its programs are efficient, effective, and responsive to local and global needs. Matoko’s vision includes expanding private sector engagement, strengthening educational programs, and maintaining budgetary rigor, which will help UNESCO continue its vital work even amid financial challenges.

Both candidates face the opportunity to lead UNESCO at a pivotal time. While the recent withdrawal of United States funding presents a budgetary challenge, it also opens the door for creative solutions, stronger partnerships, and renewed international collaboration. Both el-Enany and Matoko have pledged to explore new funding avenues, including private sector partnerships and contributions from emerging economies, ensuring that UNESCO’s projects continue to flourish worldwide.

Their leadership promises innovative strategies to maintain and expand UNESCO’s influence, particularly in areas such as global education, scientific research, and cultural preservation.

UNESCO’s work has far-reaching global impact. The organization is renowned for protecting World Heritage sites, supporting education for girls, promoting Holocaust awareness, and funding scientific research in developing countries.

Previous initiatives, such as the rebuilding of Mosul after devastation by Daesh, demonstrate UNESCO’s role in restoring cultural heritage and fostering resilience. With new leadership, these programs are expected to grow, benefiting millions worldwide while encouraging cross-cultural understanding and peace.

The selection of a new director also provides a unique opportunity for modernization and reform. El-Enany’s fresh perspective outside the UN system and Matoko’s extensive institutional experience both offer complementary approaches to strengthening UNESCO’s governance, efficiency, and global reach.

By leveraging their diverse skills, UNESCO can continue to lead on critical global issues, from education and science to cultural preservation and climate awareness.

As the executive board deliberates, the world watches with optimism. The next director-general of UNESCO will have the chance to reinforce the organization’s relevance, inspire international cooperation, and ensure that its programs continue to make meaningful impacts for generations to come. With capable, dedicated leadership on the horizon, UNESCO stands ready to embrace new opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and continue its mission of promoting knowledge, culture, and peace across the globe.

Bukoba (France24) — The death toll from Sunday’s plane crash in Lake Victoria in Tanzania jumped to 19, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said, after the Precision Air flight with dozens of passengers aboard plunged into water while approaching the northwestern city of Bukoba.

Tigray (AFP) — Authorities in Ethiopia’s rebel-held Tigray region announced Sunday they would respect a ceasefire as fighting intensified in the country’s war-torn north, and the African Union called for an immediate truce.

On a recent visit to Africa, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey said, “What my African brothers have longed for years are true friends who respect their history, culture, traditions, languages” and that Turkey “wants to be a true friend of Africa”.

Erdogan views Turkey as a second coming of the Ottomans’ global power with global reach, which is why he pursues a foreign policy agenda that emulates his view of the Neo-Ottoman Turkey.

Erdogan-led Turkish government has thus worked to increase engagement across the world.

Turkey often digs its claws in less-developed regions such as Africa and Latin America. In Africa, for example, Turkey now has 41 embassies, which were hardly 12 in 2003.

In 2017, Turkey opened its largest military base overseas in Somalia’s Mogadishu.

Turkey started joint military training exercises with Somali National Army soldiers.

The state-run Turkish Airlines now flies 52 routes from Istanbul to 33 different African countries, when it only flew to 14 in 2011.

Turkey has increased bilateral trade with Africa five-fold from 2003 to over $20 billion in 2018. Leaders within the African Union (AU) have stated that Erdogan has “won hearts and minds” through his “humanitarian assistance”, which in reality are bribes to the officials and the leaders.

Meanwhile, Turkey is pushing its version of Islamic extremism under the disguise of charities support for Muslim communities.

Africa’s 54 countries is what Erdogan views as his future areas of influence winch led to increased engagement across Africa as a way for Turkey to achieve greater goal.

Khaled Homoud Alshareef holds PhD in Business and he earned Masters in Philosophy. He often writes about Islamism, Islamist factions and modern Terrorism. He tweets under @0khalodi0.