Global Terrorism Index 2025

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​Ten Countries Most Impacted by Terrorism: (4) Mali
Terrorism deaths in Mali fell for the second year in 2024, with the country recording 604 deaths from 201 attacks, a 21 per cent reduction in both deaths and attacks compared to the previous year. Despite falling levels of terrorism within the country, extremist groups continue to exploit the ongoing instability in Mali. The country has yet to restore civilian rule since the 2021 coup, with the deadline set for elections passing in March 2024 and no further date being set.
 
Mali’s border with Niger and Burkina Faso continues to be the area most impacted by terrorism, with almost three-quarters of attacks and deaths occurring in those regions. Terrorism has decreased in most regions of Mali, including Gao, Segou, Koulikoro and Timbuktu, which saw fewer attacks and terrorism-related deaths in 2024. However, Mali’s capital, Bamako, experienced terror activity for the first time since 2016, with three attacks in 2024 resulting in 70 deaths, the most ever recorded in the city. The country’s deadliest attack in 2024 occurred in Bamako, when 60 people were killed in concurrent armed attacks on a school and a military air base. JNIM claimed responsibility for the attack, its deadliest attack in Mali in 2024.
 
JNIM remains the most prominent terrorist group in Mali, recording 77 attacks and 322 deaths in 2024, its second-highest death toll since the group’s inception in 2017. However, its activity has declined this year, with both deaths and attacks attributed to the group falling by three per cent. IS activity also declined in Mali, recording an 88 per cent drop in deaths and a 45 per cent drop in attacks compared to the previous year. However, 58 per cent of Mali’s total attacks and 45 per cent of total deaths were attributed to undetermined jihadist groups, which are likely unclaimed attacks by either JNIM or IS militants. 
 
The involvement of Africa Corps, formerly the Wagner Group, within Mali has exacerbated tensions between Mali and its international partners. Despite the group’s presence, attacks and deaths attributed to terrorism have remained prevalent in the region. Notably, in July 2024, Africa Corps suffered significant losses during an ambush by Tuareg rebels near Tinzaouaten, raising questions about the effectiveness of the group in the region. Furthermore, the group’s involvement may be driven more by economic interests, such as the extraction of the region’s rich natural resources, rather than a genuine commitment to stabilising Mali.
 
Tensions within Mali escalated when, in November 2024, Prime Minister Choguel Maïga was dismissed by the junta leader, General Assimi Goïta, after Maïga publicly criticised the military regime for delaying elections without consultation.This move further consolidated military control and delayed the transition to civilian rule. This internal instability, combined with the setbacks faced by Africa Corps, is likely to fuel a further increase in terrorism within the near future. 
 
Global Terrorism Index 2025. Institute for Economics & Peace. Sydney, Australia.