In late April 2026, coordinated attacks across Mali killed Defence Minister Sadio Camara and several soldiers, escalating the nation's security crisis. Researchers attribute this to unaddressed grievances of Tuareg communities in northern Mali, who demand political autonomy, cultural recognition, and equitable control over resources like gold and salt mines, which remain dominated by the southern-based state. Historically, in 2012, Tuareg separatists such as the MNLA allied with jihadist groups like AQIM but were later ousted by better-armed Islamists; a similar coalition emerged in 2026 with JNIM and the Azawad Liberation Front. The 2022 withdrawal of French forces created a security vacuum, enabling Islamist expansion amid weak Malian capacity, while counterterrorism operations often cause civilian harm, fueling militant recruitment. Addressing these structural inequalities, as Niger did under President Mahamadou Issoufou through integration and decentralisation, is essential for sustainable peace.