Mali faces surge in displaced persons as violence escalates in North and Center
Since late April, renewed clashes and airstrikes have forced tens of thousands of Malians to abandon their homes in search of safety. The cities of Gao and Ménaka have become temporary shelters for a significant portion of these displaced families.
Exodus triggered by renewed offensive in northern Mali
More than 40,000 people have fled their villages since late April as violence intensifies in the North and Central regions of Mali. Humanitarian and local sources indicate that over 15,000 displaced individuals have already sought refuge in Gao and Ménaka alone. In Gao, a local official reports that more than 7,000 people have arrived in the past three months, marking an unprecedented influx in recent years.
Kidal at the heart of the conflict
The escalation stems from a coalition between jihadist factions—including the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM)—and separatist groups like the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA). Their offensive has seized control of strategic areas, particularly Kidal in northern Mali. Fighting has since spread to key locations such as Anéfis, exacerbating displacement as civilians abandon villages and face severe disruptions in access to essential services.
Airstrikes fuel further displacement
In the past two weeks, Malian forces have intensified aerial bombardments in regions around Kidal, notably near Tinzawatene. Reports suggest that some airstrikes have damaged health facilities, prompting additional waves of displacement. While independent verification remains challenging in these zones, the surge in displaced populations is undeniable. Families are fleeing combat zones, seeking refuge in cities where humanitarian resources are already stretched thin.
Humanitarian strain on Gao and Ménaka
The arrival of thousands of displaced individuals has placed immense pressure on local authorities and aid organizations in Gao and Ménaka. Most of these people originate from the Kidal region, where conditions have deteriorated sharply since April. Their needs span shelter, food, clean water, medical care, and protection for children. This influx compounds an already fragile humanitarian crisis in northern and central Mali, where the number of internally displaced persons officially exceeds 400,000—a figure many aid workers believe is underestimated.
Decade-long security crisis
Mali has grappled with a deepening security crisis since 2012, driven by the expansion of jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, as well as armed community and separatist factions. Despite the military junta’s focus on territorial reconquest and security restoration after the 2020 and 2021 coups, recent violence underscores the strategy’s limitations. For residents of northern Mali, already familiar with repeated displacement, the question looms: how long can they remain in their homes before fleeing yet again?
