TOP STORIES

1. JNIM Strikes Near Bamako and Sévaré as Dioura Toll Nears 100

JNIM fighters attacked a security checkpoint at Kasséla, on Bamako's outskirts, overnight on 18-19 September, then hit an army drone hangar near Sévaré the next day with kamikaze drones — attacks separate from the 10 September raid on Dioura camp. Attackers at Kasséla arrived on foot, opened fire on a surprised detachment and withdrew with weapons and ammunition, RFI reported. No casualty figures have been confirmed for either strike. Mali's army says an air and helicopter operation allowed two FAMa companies to evacuate the Dioura garrison, with searches continuing for captured soldiers; JNIM's unverified claim is that it killed 150 soldiers and took 93 prisoners.

The Dioura death toll has risen to at least 100 soldiers, according to several sources — double initial estimates — though the army has given no official figure. AFP reported five Russian Africa Corps personnel also died, a detail that remains unconfirmed. FAMa separately said it struck militant logistics depots near Djenné, Sévaré and Ber this week.

Sources: RFI | RFI | Bamada.net

2. Tinubu Orders Probe Into Nigeria Mining-Custody Deaths as Cause Disputed

President Tinubu has ordered a "full and transparent investigation" into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State. The Interior Minister suspended the state NSCDC commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye. Survivors described struggling to breathe inside an overcrowded cell, and the BBC reports intelligence sources and relatives now dispute the government's account that the deaths stemmed from a disease outbreak. Protests continued into a second day in Minna, with a visible armed security deployment.

The cause of death remains contested. The NSCDC itself says it has not been conclusively established and that medical and laboratory examinations are required; no findings have been released from Tinubu's investigation.

Sources: BBC | France24

3. Algeria Accuses UAE of Trying to Sway Two Presidential Elections

Algeria has begun detailing its case against the United Arab Emirates following this month's rupture in diplomatic ties, alleging attempts to influence the 2019 and 2024 presidential elections. The claim is markedly more specific than Algiers' initial description of "provocative and hostile acts" when it broke relations on 10 September, though the report offers little detail on how the alleged operations worked, and the UAE has not responded to the specific allegation.

Sources: The Africa Report

ALSO IMPORTANT

• Mali – Ukraine drone allegations: CNN reported on 12 September, based on interviews with Ukrainian personnel it said were deployed there, that roughly 15 Ukrainian drone specialists are supporting the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front, which has coordinated with JNIM in recent offensives against Malian and Russian Africa Corps forces. Neither Kyiv nor Bamako has issued an official response. Source
• Niger – Tiani's isolation: The Africa Report says that after the 29 August mutiny, junta leader Tiani has grown deeply distrustful of his own army, placing his confidence in a handful of loyal officers and his Russian and Algerian allies. Source
• Mali – drone strikes and civilian harm: A joint Bellingcat, The Sentry and Africa Report investigation finds at least a quarter of examined Malian army and Africa Corps drone strikes caused civilian casualties, drawing on new documentary evidence of individual incidents. Source
• AES – media regulation: Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso's media regulators launched a joint platform, PAREMEC, with its permanent secretariat based in Niamey and Mali's HAC president, Gaoussou Coulibaly, designated as its first president. Source
• Niger – AES solidarity visit: Malian and Burkinabè delegations travelled to Niamey to reaffirm AES solidarity with President Tiani following last month's coup attempt, part of continuing post-mutiny consolidation efforts. Source
• Niger-Sudan: Tiani received Sudan's ambassador in Niamey on 18 September to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation, following a phone call between Tiani and Sudanese sovereign council chief al-Burhan, part of Niger's efforts to broaden its security partnerships. Source
• Nigeria – methanol poisoning: The death toll from a suspected methanol poisoning outbreak in Ondo State's Odigbo and Irele areas has risen to 48, with 182 cases recorded and 15 people arrested, health authorities say. Source
• Chad – Haiti mission: Chad has deployed a new contingent to the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force in Haiti, part of a pledged total deployment of 1,500 troops in two battalions. Source
• Burkina Faso – mining sovereignty: The SAMAO 2026 mining week closed in Ouagadougou with several recommendations on AES sovereign resource governance, including on mastering geological information in the tri-border area and accelerating local processing of extractive resources. Source