Tragedy struck the community of Djiguibombo in central Mali, West Africa as an attack on a wedding event left at least 21 dead. The assault took place on the evening of July 1, 2024, while the villagers were gathered to celebrate the marriage of a local couple.
The attackers, who appeared on motorcycles, encircled the crowd and initiated a ruthless onslaught that led to widespread destruction. “Most of the victims had their throats slit,” reported Bakary Guindo, president of the local youth group. In addition, the attackers pillaged homes, set a health center ablaze, and stole livestock along with supplies.
Located near the town of Bandiagara, Djiguibombo has been a hotspot of violent activities linked to extremist outfits. While no group has officially taken responsibility for this attack, the manner and severity of the assault are reminiscent of the tactics used by the al-Qaida-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) extremist group, which has repeatedly targeted this region.
Local resident Hamidou Saye outlined the attackers’ approach: “They surrounded the large number of attendees, leaving no escape for those celebrating the wedding.” The community is still trying to come to terms with this brutal act, which resulted in many young people losing their lives.
This horrific incident is reflective of the escalating violence that Mali has been experiencing since 2012. The central and northern regions have been the focal points of terror campaigns by extremist groups and ethnic militias. The withdrawal of French troops and the conclusion of the UN peacekeeping mission have further destabilized the area, allowing extremist elements to regain their foothold.
The military rulers of Mali, who took control almost four years ago, have been unsuccessful in bringing an end to the spiraling violence. The failure of a 2015 peace agreement with the ethnic Tuareg rebels has exacerbated the security situation. The junta’s collaboration with the Russian Wagner Group has failed to bring about any significant improvements, and allegations of human rights violations by both the government forces and allied militias persist.
The Dogon ethnic group, represented by the organisation Ginna Dogon, expressed their sorrow over the continuing 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 Djiguibombo wedding underscores the precarious security situation in Mali. Despite the military government’s assurances of restoring order, the grim reality persists. Communities throughout central and northern Mali continue to live under the shadow of fear, vulnerable to sudden and violent onslaughts.