JNIM Announces 'Total Siege' of Bamako — Spokesman Warns Civilians Not to Stand Between Militants and Army

On April 28, 2026, JNIM spokesman Abu Hudheifah al-Bambari (also known as Bina Diarra) announced the beginning of a 'total siege' (blockade complet) of Bamako. In a statement monitored by Al Jazeera and Sahel LiveUAMap, al-Bambari declared: 'Do not put yourselves between JNIM and the army or you will be targeted.' The announcement represented a significant strategic escalation beyond JNIM's previous fuel blockade of Bamako, signaling JNIM's intent to cut the capital's supply lines completely. The siege announcement came 72 hours after the April 25 nationwide offensive — consistent with JNIM's operational pattern of following initial shock-assaults with sustained pressure. JNIM also issued a separate statement demanding that Russia's Africa Corps withdraw from Mali entirely, describing withdrawal as a precondition for 'stable future relations.' Al Jazeera's video coverage of the siege announcement reached international audiences. Analysts at the Soufan Center (in an April 27 brief) had already assessed JNIM as having 'the capability to potentially topple the Malian government' — a conclusion reinforced by the siege declaration. The combined effect of JNIM's fuel blockade (partially lifted in March 2026 by the controversial prisoner release) and the new 'total siege' creates compounding economic pressure on a capital already dealing with 940 CFA/liter diesel prices and a three-day overnight curfew imposed April 26.