Events in the year 2026 in Mali.
Incumbents
President: Assimi Goïta Prime Minister: Abdoulaye Maïga National Committee for the Salvation of the People: Chairman: Colonel Assimi Goïta Spokesman: Colonel-Major Ismaël Wagué
Events January 3 January – Seven employees are taken hostage in a jihadist attack on the Morila Gold Mine in Sikasso Region; all hostages are released the following evening. 8 January – A ferry sinks after hitting rocks along the Niger River in Diré, Tombouctou Region, killing at least 38 people. 11 January – Several people are abducted in a jihadist attack on three industrial sites in Kayes Region. 19 January – The junta appoints Hilaire Bébien Diarra to head a new ministerial-level position in charge of the mining sector and superseding the Ministry of Mines. 22 January – The government announces the imposition of nationwide fuel rationing in response to the blockade of supplies by jihadists. 29 January – At least 15 people are killed in a JNIM attack on a fuel tanker convoy in the west of the country.
February 5 February – The junta arrests Youssouf Sissoko, editor-in-chief of the weekly newspaper L’Alternance, in Bamako on charges of insulting a foreign head of state after publishing an article critical of Nigerien president Abdourahamane Tiani. 27 February – The United States lifts sanctions on Defense Minister Sadio Camara and two senior military officials over their involvement with the Wagner Group.
April 10 April – Mali withdraws recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and endorses the Moroccan autonomy proposal for the Western Sahara. 25 April – A number of coordinated attacks led by JNIM alongside the Azawad Liberation Front occur in various locations across Mali. Sadio Camara, the minister of defence, is killed during the attacks.
May 2 May – Former education minister and junta critic Mountaga Tall is abducted by unidentified individuals from his residence in Bamako. 4 May – President Goïta assumes the additional role of defence minister following the killing of Sadio Camara in the 2026 Mali offensives. 7 May – At least 50 people are killed in a JNIM attack on two villages in Mopti Region.
June
1 June – At least eight people are killed, and 42 injured, when a civilian passenger bus strikes a land mine on the Bamako–Kayes road near Bamako. 3 June – The government bans the usage of motorcycles with an engine capacity of 125 cc and above outside major urban centres. 5 June – A court sentences French national Yann Vezilier to 20 years' imprisonment, after convicting him over an alleged plot to destabilise the government of President Goïta in 2025.
July
2 July – The government establishes the Malian Office of Precious Substances, a new state body to regulate and centralise the country's artisanal gold trade. 11 July – Mali restores diplomatic relations with Algeria after a yearlong rift, with both countries reinstating ambassadors and reopening their airspace to one another. 15 June – At least eight civilians are killed in an airstrike on the village of Kyrnia in the Mopti Region that Human Rights Watch attributes to the Russian Africa Corps. 18 July – More than 50 soldiers and Russian Africa Corps personnel are killed in an ambush by the Azawad Liberation Front and JNIM in the Gao Region.
August 9 August – JNIM militants launch an attack on an army garrison in San; 40 militants and 10 soldiers are killed. 13 August – President Goïta pardons French national Yann Vezilier, who had been sentenced in June to 20 years in prison over alleged involvement in a plot to destabilise Mali on behalf of the DGSE.
Holidays
1 January – New Year's Day 20 January – Armed Forces Day 16 March – Leylatoul Qadr 20 March – Korité 26 March – Martyrs' Day 6 April – Easter Monday 1 May – Labour Day 25 May – Africa Day 27 May – Tabaski 21 June – June Solstice 26 June – Ashura 26 August – The Prophet's Birthday 1 September – Prophet's Baptism 22 September – Independence Day 23 September – September Equinox 21 December – December Solstice 25 December – Christmas Day
Deaths 25 April – Sadio Camara, 47, minister of defence (since 2020) 17 July – Germain Berthé, 32, footballer (Horoya AC, Real Bamako, national team)
References