AU condemns coordinated attacks on Malian cities

African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on Saturday expressed "deep concern" over attacks in Mali targeting the capital, Bamako, as well as several other areas across the country.



Strong explosions and gunfire were heard across several cities in Mali during the early hours of Saturday. Malian security sources said armed terrorist groups had launched simultaneous coordinated attacks on several sites and military barracks in the capital and interior regions.



The AU, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the chairperson is closely following security developments in the West African country, and "strongly condemns these acts, which risk exposing civilian populations to significant harm."