Insights

Three gunman killed after they storm a holiday resort, killing two

At least two people have been killed at a luxury resort near Bamako, after armed gunmen stormed the complex firing shots. The holiday resort is popular with Western tourists. 36 people were initially taken hostage but all have been released. Security forces have reported that operations are ongoing at Le Campement, outside the capital Bamako, after three of the gunmen were shot dead but a fourth escaped. Some guests have said that the gunmen shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ during the assault. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which comes amid the final week of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Two days earlier, two soldiers were killed and others kidnapped, after jihadists attacked a military base in the north. Northern Mali continues to fall prey to jihadist attacks, with four people having died in an assault on the UN peacekeepers near their base in Kidal earlier this month.

It is advisable to defer all non-essential travel to Mali until further notice. On 3 March, three prominent Islamic extremist groups in Mali, pledged their allegiance to al-Qaeda. The merger brings the threat of increased insecurity not only in Mali but also in neighbouring West African countries which until recently had been relatively free of deadly attacks by extremist groups. Register with consular authorities and travel in convoy with personal armed security escorts at all times.