Suspend activities along Mali route until further notice — Gov’t urges traders amid unrest

The Government of Ghana has advised Ghanaian traders and transport operators to suspend all activities along the Mali route until further notice following renewed violence in the Sahel country.

The caution comes after recent coordinated attacks in Mali that sixteen people dead, including senior military officials such as Defence Minister General Sadio Camara.

The attacks form part of a wider insecurity challenge in Mali, where insurgent and separatist groups continue to operate across several regions.

Reports indicate that the latest violence involved simultaneous attacks on multiple locations, resulting in casualties among both civilians and military personnel.

In a statement issued on Monday, April 27, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs further also urged Ghanaians in the country to limit non-essential movement.

"Ghanaians living in the jurisdiction are advised to exercise caution and limit non-essential movements. We urge you all to maintain regular contact with the Embassy of Ghana in Bamako.

"As the Government of Mali takes necessary actions to control the situation, Ghanaian traders and drivers who ply the route for trading activities are advised to suspend movements until further notice," it read in part.

The government further noted that it is working in close collaboration with relevant Malian authorities and would provide updates to facilitate the resumption of trading activities in due course.

Meanwhile, Ghana also expressed concern over the "escalating security situation in the Sahel region and in particular the most recent coordinated terrorist attacks.”

It further stressed the need for global action against extremism, adding that “violent extremism must have no place in our world, and we must step up collective efforts to end this horror.”