With reports that armed groups from neighbouring countries are joining the insurgency, alongside the emergence of footage showing dozens of captured Malian security personnel, pressure appears to be mounting on Mali’s military authorities.
Unconfirmed reports circulating across the Sahel claim that fighters from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia and the Central African Republic have joined insurgent groups operating in Mali. One Nation Media has been unable to independently verify these claims.
Meanwhile, fighting continues across multiple fronts. Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) says it has continued targeting Malian Armed Forces and Africa Corps armoured vehicles with improvised explosive devices.
The Front for the Liberation of Azawad (FLA) also claims it intercepted and destroyed two Shahed kamikaze drones before they reached their targets near Tinzaouatene, along the Mali-Algeria border.
One of the military authorities’ primary strategic objectives remains the recapture of Kidal following the fighting on 25 April 2026, during which Mali’s Defence Minister, General Sadio Camara, was killed.
As Malian forces and their Russian allies continue operations in northern Mali, both the FLA and JNIM have reported a series of ambushes, claiming to have destroyed military equipment and captured additional prisoners of war.
Against this backdrop, a newly released video by the Azawad Liberation Army, also known as the FLA, shows dozens of Malian soldiers, police officers and gendarmerie personnel being held as prisoners of war and appealing to the authorities in Bamako to negotiate their release.
The footage shows detainees identifying themselves by name, rank and service number. They say they were captured during the fighting in Kidal on 25 April 2026 and claim they have received food, accommodation and medical treatment throughout their captivity.
The video opens by naming several prisoners who were absent because they were “currently receiving medical treatment at a healthcare facility”. Those identified include members of the National Police, National Guard and Malian Army.
Speaking on behalf of the prisoners, one soldier said he was addressing the Malian people voluntarily.
“Today is 28 July 2026. First of all, I would like to state that I am speaking of my own free will and not under threat or coercion.”
He added: “We are all in very good health and are with our brothers, who are treating us with honour and dignity.”
The soldier said he was speaking on behalf of all prisoners of war held by the FLA, a coalition of predominantly Tuareg armed groups formed in 2024.
He accused Mali’s military authorities of concealing the fate of captured personnel.
“People of Mali, it is time to open your eyes. The junta has lied to you from the beginning, despite what it claims.”
He further alleged that the authorities had failed to inform the families of soldiers captured in Leré, Dioura, Taoussa, Bourem, Bamba, Kidal, Anéfis and Trabucart.
“Since 2023, the junta has deliberately chosen to conceal the truth.”
According to the statement, many prisoners had been abandoned while their families faced financial hardship after their military salaries were suspended.
“Hundreds of prisoners of war have been abandoned and forgotten, while others have died without receiving even the slightest tribute or recognition.”
The speaker concluded:
“This silence, this abandonment and these lies represent a heavy responsibility that the junta will one day have to answer for before the Malian people.”
The video then shows a succession of detainees introducing themselves individually and repeating that they were captured during the April fighting in Kidal.
Private First Class Youssouf Watené Sidibé of the Malian Army said:
“Since our capture, we have been here. We are well fed, have enough to drink and are being treated well. We are not being tortured. We are in good hands.”
He added:
“That is the message I wish to convey to the Malian authorities.”
Sergeant Major Amadou Kaya also described the conditions in detention.
“We are all well today. Since our capture, we have received medical care and food. Those who are ill are receiving proper treatment.”
He continued:
“Since our capture, we have been treated well. We are well fed and remain in good health.”
Several other soldiers, including Second Lieutenant Abdoul Aziz Maïga, Warrant Officer Alpha Doumbia, Sergeant Major Hamadoun Gana and Sergeant Major Ismaël Sacko, identified themselves and said they had been captured in Kidal on 25 April 2026.
The video also includes statements from senior police officers.
Police Commissioner Yaya Coulibaly, who identified himself as the Deputy Regional Director of Police in Kidal, said the detainees had received adequate care.
“We are in very good hands. If anyone falls ill, they receive appropriate medical treatment.”
He appealed directly to Mali’s leadership.
“We ask the highest authorities to remember us so that we may one day be reunited with our respective families.”
Other police officers who identified themselves included Commissioners Garantigui Traoré, Drissa Sanaba, Ibrahima Diarra and Abdoulaye S. Traoré, along with Chief Warrant Officer Abou Sogoré and Warrant Officer Boureima Camara. Each said they had been captured in Kidal on 25 April 2026.
Colonel Adama Bakayoko of the National Gendarmerie also addressed the camera, saying the detainees had not been subjected to abuse.
“From the time of our capture until today, we have been treated well. We are well fed, we sleep well and those who are ill receive proper medical care.”
He added:
“There has been neither torture nor threats against us.”
Bakayoko appealed for negotiations to secure the prisoners’ release.
“I also appeal to Mali’s highest authorities to remember that we are all heads of families and to work towards our release by seeking a peaceful solution because, as the saying goes, every war ultimately ends at the negotiating table.”
Addressing the detainees’ relatives, he said:
“When you watch these videos, know that your husbands and your brothers are in good hands.”
The claims made by the detainees could not be independently verified by One Nation Media. Malian authorities had not publicly responded to the statements at the time of publication.
