Mali’s eid al-adha celebration overshadowed by security threats

Malians recently observed Eid al-Adha (locally known as Tabaski) under exceptional circumstances. This year’s festivities followed a sophisticated assault on April 25th, an incident that significantly destabilized the military regime and led to the demise of Defense Minister Sadio Camara. The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) had previously issued threats of a “final offensive” on Bamako, aiming to overthrow the ruling junta.

Jihadist factions frequently choose Muslim holidays for their military operations, driven by the conviction that such actions garner greater divine favor.

For many households this year, both urban and rural, acquiring sheep for the Eid celebration proved exceptionally difficult due to the ongoing pressure from armed groups. In rural areas, these groups confiscate livestock as a form of taxation or seize entire herds for resale. In Bamako, they imposed a boycott on the city, a tactic previously employed in Burkina Faso and other Malian towns. While Malian security forces have managed to keep most major routes open through concerted efforts, preventing a complete blockade, the psychological impact of this boycott on Bamako’s residents remains palpable.

Exorbitant prices for livestock were also noted in Niamey, Niger’s capital, which has been grappling with relentless attacks in its western regions—traditional sources of cattle—by the GSIM and Islamic State in the Sahel. Both organizations recently targeted several military and civilian sites, resulting in numerous casualties. These assaults capitalized on the redeployment of the Nigerien army further north, as part of a planned counter-offensive aimed at retaking Kidal.