Ivory Coast has increased security along its northern border after receiving an unusually high number of refugees fleeing violence in neighbouring Mali, the country’s National Security Council (NSC) announced on Thursday.
According to the NSC, the sudden arrivals are linked to attacks on civilians in southern Mali carried out by armed groups. Officials said these assaults have forced people to escape towards safer areas, with many choosing Ivory Coast as their nearest refuge.
Government Takes Action
In its statement, the NSC directed authorities to register all asylum seekers entering the country. The chief of the armed forces was also instructed to reinforce border security to prevent the conflict from spilling into Ivorian territory.
Ivory Coast already hosts around 90,000 refugees from Burkina Faso, another country struggling with its own armed rebellion. The new wave from Mali adds further pressure on local communities and government resources.
JNIM Behind the Violence
The al-Qaeda-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) is believed to be responsible for much of the recent violence. JNIM has been fighting in Mali for nearly a decade and has expanded its operations into several West African countries, including Burkina Faso, Niger, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Benin and Togo.
Recently, the group carried out its first attack in Nigeria, killing a soldier and seizing weapons and cash. Since 2017, JNIM has killed thousands of people, though the total number is unknown.
Pressure on Mali’s Military Government
JNIM is also trying to weaken Mali’s ruling military government, which took power after a 2020 coup. In September, the group blocked major roads used by fuel tankers entering Mali from Ivory Coast and Senegal. The blockade caused severe fuel shortages in Bamako, forcing many desperate residents to flee south toward Ivory Coast.
New Attacks Spark Another Wave of Refugees
On Wednesday, JNIM fighters attacked Loulouni, a town just 50km (30 miles) from the Ivorian border. The assault caused hundreds more people to flee, adding to the already growing number of refugees trying to cross into Ivory Coast.
Rising Humanitarian Concerns
Humanitarian organisations warn that the increased movement of people could strain the region, especially as conflict continues to spread across West Africa. The Ivorian government has promised to provide support and maintain security but has called for international assistance as the situation worsens.
