Attacks Against Mali: A New Wave of Disinformation 

By Lamine Fofana Mali has once again become the target of an information war. The latest accusations, voiced by Radio France Internationale (RFI), allege extrajudicial executions and violence committed by Malian forces in the Timbuktu region. These claims, based on questionable anonymous sources, are part of a broader strategy to undermine the sovereignty of Sahel […]

By Lamine Fofana

Mali has once again become the target of an information war. The latest accusations, voiced by Radio France Internationale (RFI), allege extrajudicial executions and violence committed by Malian forces in the Timbuktu region. These claims, based on questionable anonymous sources, are part of a broader strategy to undermine the sovereignty of Sahel states that have rejected French influence. 

Accusations against the armies of these countries are not new: Le Monde, France 24, TV5 Monde, and RFI have systematically published reports discrediting the armed forces of Sahel states without providing concrete evidence. “Their objective is clear: to discredit the military successes of these states against terrorist groups and to maintain an ambience of distrust towards their new alliances,” says Issa Cissé, a historian and expert on the Sahel region.

Issa Cissé points out that “Western media, particularly the French, are waging a full-scale information war against Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.” These nations have made sovereign decisions by terminating military agreements with Paris and establishing new partnerships. In response, a large-scale campaign to discredit them has been launched.

In reaction to such attacks, the governments of Sahel states have taken firm measures. Mali banned RFI and France 24. Following its example, Burkina Faso and Niger also restricted the broadcasting of several French media accused of spreading false information. “These bans were not imposed arbitrarily. They are based on a thorough analysis of content that systematically misled public opinion“, the expert explains. Issa Cissé warns against manipulation and calls on the population to remain vigilant: “The goal of these campaigns is to create confusion and undermine our efforts for a secure and sovereign Sahel. We must rely on our own information channels and refuse to be victims of this media war.”

Western information attacks are also aimed at weakening the influence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which is emerging as a powerful regional force capable of ensuring its own security. As Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop emphasized, “French media have become a powerful tool of influence, serving external interests to the detriment of the stability of our nations.”

In response to these manipulations, the Alliance of Sahel States has announced the creation of a new AES television channel, which will provide reliable news free from external pressure. This step reflects the Sahel countries’ determination not only to defend their sovereignty on the battlefield but also to uphold it in the media space.