On May 27, 2026, General of the Army Assimi Goïta, President of the Malian Transition, delivered a significant political address in Koulouba. This declaration followed the Eid al-Kebir prayer, observed at the presidential palace in Bamako. In the presence of the Prime Minister, the President of the National Transition Council, government officials, and accredited diplomats in Mali, General Goïta publicly broadened the scope of what constitutes terrorism, extending it to encompass media narratives, economic pressures, political maneuvering, state actions, and international influences.

An unusual prayer setting

Due to prevailing security conditions within Bamako, the traditional solemn Eid prayer was not held at its customary location, the Grand Mosque of Bagadadji. Instead, the banquet hall at Koulouba was transformed into a prayer space for the ceremony. Imam Mahmoud Touré, affiliated with the presidential palace mosque, led the prayers, offering supplications for the enduring peace and stability of Mali.

A multifaceted address from the Malian leader

Following the prayer, President Goïta addressed the press, characterizing Mali as a target of what he termed “multiform terrorisms.” He asserted that the pressures confronting the nation are no longer confined solely to military engagements but have expanded to include narratives propagated by the media, economic leverage, and external political interference. “All relentless campaigns, driven by manipulated narratives, will not be able to shake the Malian people’s unwavering commitment to peace and sovereignty,” he declared with conviction.

The head of state called upon all Malians to rally behind the Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) and their partners, announcing the continuation of military operations until the “complete pacification of the country” is achieved. He further reiterated the irreversible nature of the national refoundation project, known as Mali Kura.

One month after a major offensive

This pivotal speech comes just a month after a coordinated offensive launched by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) and the Front for the Liberation of Azawad (FLA). This joint assault targeted several Malian positions on April 25, 2026, tragically resulting in the death of Defense Minister Sadio Camara. In the wake of these events, the transitional authorities have intensified their appeals for national cohesion. Air and ground operations, conducted by the FAMA and the African Corps, are actively ongoing across the regions of Ségou, Kidal, and Ménaka.