The President of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, recently concluded an official visit to Bamako, aiming to bolster dialogue and cooperation between the pan-African organization and Mali. During his visit, Youssouf reiterated the AU’s unwavering support for the Malian authorities as they confront persistent security challenges. This commitment from the AU is notable, especially since Mali has been suspended from the Union’s bodies following the 2021 coup d’état. The suspension, a direct response to the disruption of constitutional order, sought to exert pressure on the military for a swift return to a civilian-led institutional framework. Despite this, the AU has made it clear it does not intend to isolate Mali, recognizing that the nation’s stability is crucial for continental security. Consequently, diplomatic cooperation continues, notably through the AU’s special representative for Mali and the Sahel, and the AU Mission for the Sahel and Mali (MISAHEL).

Beyond rhetoric: a call for concrete action

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf’s visit to Bamako was intended to convey the African Union’s “full solidarity” with Mali in the face of ongoing armed attacks. However, Alioune Tine, an independent expert and founder of “Africa Jom Center,” argues that the AU must move beyond mere political support and undertake tangible actions. Tine emphasized that “the President of the African Union Commission should strive to demonstrate solidarity in a much more active, much more concrete manner, by sensitizing countries with the means to provide assistance, by mobilizing troops from African Union member states to support Mali in its fight against terrorism. I believe that is what is most needed.”

The african union’s operational constraints

Even as Malian authorities challenge the 2015 Algiers Accord, the African Union continues to advocate for dialogue and political solutions to resolve the multifaceted crisis. With the concerning alliance between northern separatists and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), some analysts anticipate a shift in the AU Commission President’s discourse following this visit. It is important to note that the African Union views the JNIM–FLA (Tuareg independentists) coalition as a highly troubling development in the Malian conflict, and it does not recognize the legitimacy of this coalition’s offensives or their demands. The organization remains committed to defending Mali’s territorial integrity while simultaneously urging intensified regional efforts against terrorism.

Nevertheless, Aly Tounkara, from the Center for Security and Strategic Studies in the Sahel, highlights the structural and political limitations inherent to the organization. Tounkara explained, “It will be difficult to expect the African Union to provide military or even intelligence support when we know that the various member countries of this organization are not necessarily aligned among themselves, let alone agreeing on any agenda concerning countries like Mali.” The analyst further noted that “there are indeed serious problems of interference, with the African Union being largely dependent on extra-Sahelian donors. This is one of the major difficulties that the organization must overcome for the relevance and effectiveness of any actions that might come from the African Union.”

Navigating between diplomatic support, advocating for Mali’s territorial unity, and contending with internal political constraints, the African Union strives to assert its influence. The true impact of this visit remains to be seen, determining whether it represents merely a symbolic gesture of solidarity or signifies the commencement of a more tangible and concrete engagement alongside Bamako and other nations within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).