An attack on a wedding in Djiguibombo, a village in central Mali, West Africa, resulted in the death of at least 21 people on Monday evening, July 1, 2024. The community is devastated by the violent act that occurred during the celebration of a local couple’s wedding.
The attackers, who encircled the gathering on motorcycles, initiated a brutal onslaught. “Most of the victims had their throats slit,” stated Bakary Guindo, the president of a local youth group; others were shot. In addition to the killings, the attackers looted residences, ignited a health center, and stole livestock along with other supplies.
The area, including the village of Djiguibombo near the town of Bandiagara, has been suffering from violence linked to extremist factions. While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the brutality and method used suggest the involvement of the al-Qaida-linked extremist group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which frequently targets this region.
One of the residents, Hamidou Saye, portrayed the attackers’ approach: “They surrounded the large number of attendees, leaving no escape for those celebrating the wedding.” The community, especially its younger members, has been profoundly affected by this horrendous event.
The incident is part of a larger trend of violence that has overwhelmed Mali since 2012. Extremist groups and ethnic militias have been inflicting terror in central and northern regions, primarily targeting civilians. The withdrawal of French troops and the conclusion of the UN peacekeeping mission have only further destabilized the area, enabling extremist factions to regain their foothold.
The military rulers of Mali, who took control nearly four years ago, have found it challenging to curb the escalating violence. The disintegration of a 2015 peace agreement with ethnic Tuareg rebels has exacerbated the security crisis. Despite the government’s forming an alliance with the Russian Wagner Group, the situation remains unchanged, with ongoing reports of human rights abuses by both government forces and allied militias.
The Dogon ethnic group’s representative organization, Ginna Dogon, expressed their sorrow over the continued violence. “This is the latest tragedy in a dark series that the Dogon country has been going through for several years, with daily attacks on villages, farmers in the fields, killings, and kidnappings,” the group stated.
The attack on the wedding in Djiguibombo underscores the grim security situation in Mali. Despite the military government’s assurances of restoring order, communities across central and northern Mali continue to live under the constant threat of sudden and violent attacks.
