Ghana on Monday condemned a wave of coordinated attacks in Bamako that reportedly killed Mali’s defence minister Sadio Camara, warning its citizens to suspend travel along key trade routes as security deteriorates in the Sahel.
The strikes, which took place over the weekend, targeted strategic locations in the Malian capital and the nearby garrison town of Kati, in what authorities and regional observers describe as a significant escalation of extremist violence.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry urged traders and transport operators to halt all movements to Mali “until further notice”, citing the inability to guarantee civilian safety.
“As the Government of Mali takes necessary actions to control the situation, Ghanaian traders and drivers who ply the route for trading activities are advised to suspend movements,” the ministry said.
The reported killing of Camara, a key figure in Mali’s transitional leadership, would mark one of the most serious blows to the country’s military hierarchy since a string of coups reshaped its political landscape.
Ghana expressed solidarity with Mali, calling for intensified global cooperation against insurgent groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State, which remain active across the Sahel.
“Violent extremism must have no place in our world, and we must step up collective efforts to end this horror,” the statement added.
The attacks drew swift condemnation from regional and international bodies. The Economic Community of West African States described the violence as “heinous acts” threatening regional stability, while the African Union and the United Nations called for de-escalation and closer security coordination.
The travel advisory risks disrupting longstanding economic ties between Accra and Bamako. Landlocked Mali depends heavily on Ghanaian ports and transit corridors for imports, while Ghanaian traders play a significant role in Malian markets.
Ghana also urged its nationals in Mali to limit movement and remain in contact with its embassy in Bamako, stressing that their safety “remains paramount”.
The crisis highlights growing instability in West Africa’s Sahel region, where shifting alliances — including the emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States — have complicated collective security efforts.
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