The Malian army has rejected reports that it released around 200 suspected jihadists in mid-March in exchange for a truce to halt attacks on fuel convoys, an arrangement that sources say helped ease a severe energy crisis in the country. Speaking on Monday, army spokesperson Souleymane Dembele dismissed the claims as “pure manipulation,” accusing some media outlets of spreading unverified information to damage public trust in the armed forces. Earlier reports from security and political sources suggested that between 100 and 200 detainees had been freed as part of an informal agreement with militants. The alleged deal was said to include a temporary ceasefire lasting until Tabaski, one of the region’s most important Muslim festivals.
Mali has faced months of disruption after jihadist fighters linked to Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, began targeting fuel tankers in September. The attacks severely restricted supplies to the capital, Bamako, causing widespread shortages and economic strain, particularly during a peak crisis in October. Although the situation improved recently with the arrival of fuel convoys, residents again experienced diesel shortages in early March, as authorities prioritized supplies for electricity generation.
Adding to the controversy, local officials and community representatives reported that at least three of the allegedly released suspects have since died, two shortly after their release and another on Sunday—though these claims remain unverified by the authorities. Since 2012, Mali has been grappling with a deepening security crisis driven by armed groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, as well as criminal networks and separatist movements. The ongoing instability continues to challenge both national security and economic recovery efforts.
