In view of the increase in armed attacks in western Mali, notably by the al-Qaida-affiliated Jnim (Islam and Muslims Support Group), Senegal is strengthening its security measures along its eastern border. Three new gendarmerie units are now operational since the last weekend, a response deemed “essential” by the Senegalese military authorities. The inauguration ceremonies were presided over by the Minister of the Armed Forces, General de Division (2s) Biram Diop, in the presence of the Haut Commandant de la Gendarmerie nationale and Director of Military Justice, General de Division Martin Faye, on 31 July and 1 August 2025. They concerned several key security infrastructures: the brigade de recherches of Tambacounda, the Groupe d’action rapide de surveillance et d’intervention (GARSI) of Saraya, and the Légion de gendarmerie of Kédougou. This system also includes a gendarmerie company in Saraya with its infirmary and its road and research brigades, as well as a territorial brigade in Kédougou and a road brigade in Mako. “The creation of these units is a concrete expression of the will of the high authorities to guarantee the protection of the population and property as well as the security of the territory”, the General Staff stressed in a communiqué, with particular reference to the strategic zone of Kidira, the main entry point to Mali. In early July, the JNIM carried out seven simultaneous attacks in western Mali, targeting in particular the locality of Dibali, situated in the immediate vicinity of the Senegalese border. These actions have reawakened the concern of the Senegalese authorities, already sensitized to the security question for several years. In addition, the Senegalese government has prohibited, on 24 July, for a period of one month, the night circulation of motorcycles in the entire department of Bakel.
Against the terrorist incursions, Senegal deploys its special forces at the Mali border
