Mali

Mali is a landlocked West African country currently governed by a military junta. It's newsworthy due to its ongoing struggle with Islamist insurgents, its strained relationship with France, and its increasing reliance on Russia for security assistance. Recent events include a fuel blockade imposed by an al-Qaeda affiliate, attacks on fuel tankers, and Niger revoking licenses of tanker drivers refusing to deliver fuel to Mali due to the jihadist threat. Burkina Faso's President attended the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) second summit on security and development in Bamako, Mali. A Malian lawmaker was also jailed in Ivory Coast for insulting the Ivorian president. Mali's significance lies in its role as part of the Sahel region, a hotbed of instability and a focal point for international counter-terrorism efforts and geopolitical competition between Western powers and Russia.