Malians recently observed Eid al-Adha, locally known as Tabaski, under exceptionally challenging circumstances. This unique celebration followed a complex attack on April 25 that significantly destabilized the military regime and led to the demise of Defense Minister Sadio Camara. Adding to the tension, the Group de Soutien à l’Islam et aux musulmans (GSIM) had issued a menacing declaration, hinting at a potential “final assault” on Bamako with the aim of overthrowing the ruling junta.
Historically, jihadist factions frequently schedule their military operations to coincide with significant Muslim holidays, driven by the belief that such actions will garner them greater divine favor.
This year, the traditional Tabaski sacrifice proved largely unattainable for most households across Mali, both in urban centers and remote rural areas. The pervasive influence of armed groups has made livestock prohibitively expensive or simply unavailable. In the countryside, these militants impose levies on cattle as a form of
