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The Malian army has denied reports that it freed around 200 suspected terrorists in mid-March as part of an arrangement aimed at halting attacks on fuel tanker convoys that have disrupted the country’s economy.
Military authorities dismissed claims circulating in some media outlets and initial security sources that more than 100, later estimated at 200 detainees, were released under a truce linked to the protection of fuel supplies.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Director of Information and Public Relations for the Armed Forces, Souleymane Dembele, said the allegations were false and aimed at damaging the country’s image and undermining confidence in state institutions and the military.
He described the reports as baseless and lacking credible evidence, insisting that no such arrangement had been made.
“These remarks, reported by certain media outlets, are intended to tarnish Mali’s image and undermine trust between the people and their institutions, and particularly between the Malian people and their defence and security forces.
“This is pure manipulation, completely unfounded and lacking any reliable source”, he said.
Earlier reports had suggested that a deal was reached in mid-March involving the release of suspected terrorists in exchange for a temporary halt to attacks on fuel convoys, with the truce reportedly expected to last until the Tabaski festival in late May.
Since September, fighters linked to the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) have intensified attacks on tanker convoys, worsening fuel shortages and contributing to economic strain in the capital, Bamako.
Although the situation briefly stabilised in recent months, residents again faced diesel shortages in March as fuel supplies were prioritised for energy production.
Mali has faced a long-running security crisis since 2012, driven by insurgent groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, alongside armed criminal networks and separatist factions.
