The African Union confirms its continued support for the MISMAH mission in Mali and the Sahel region.
Written by: Ayman Ragab
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, visited the headquarters of the African Union Mission in Mali and the Sahel (MISAHL) in Bamako on Monday, July 13, 2026, where he was received by the High Representative of the Organization, Mamadou Tangara. During the visit, the Chairperson reiterated the Commission's support for the Mission, which is mandated to promote peace, stability, dialogue, and sustainable development in Mali and the Sahel region.
During his meeting with the mission staff, Mahmoud Ali Youssef praised the efforts made in implementing the continental mandate, stressing that his visit reflects the African Union’s solidarity with the government and people of Mali, and its continued support for the activities of the Messahel mission.
Discussion of issues related to programming, funding, and state adaptation
For his part, Mamadou Tangara, speaking on behalf of the mission staff, affirmed that the visit of the head of the commission embodies the institution’s commitment to supporting Messahel.
The statement issued after the meeting clarified the continuation of the mission's mandate, along with the political support provided by the Commission to its staff, noting that issues related to programming, funding and adapting the mandate will be discussed within the African Union's decision-making frameworks.
The African Union Mission in Mali (AMIS) was established in August 2013 and is headquartered in Bamako. This followed the transfer, on July 1 of the same year, of the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The African Union opted to maintain a political and technical presence in the country after the African operation was transformed into a UN mission.
Messahel is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the African Union's strategy for the Sahel region, which is based on three main pillars: governance, security and development, while strengthening cooperation with African institutions, regional organizations, concerned countries and international partners.
Aside from military tasks, the mission’s current tasks focus on political representation, dialogue, crisis monitoring, institutional coordination, and support for peace and development initiatives, while its presence in Bamako provides a permanent channel of communication between the African Union Commission and the Peace and Security Council on the one hand, and the Malian authorities and regional partners on the other.
Appointment of Mamadou Tangara
The leadership of the mission experienced a period of vacancy, which was noted by the Peace and Security Council in May 2024, when it called for the appointment of a High Representative to act as a liaison between the Commission, the Council and countries undergoing transitions.
The appointment of Mamadou Tangara was welcomed by the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit in February 2026.
Tangara, the former Gambian foreign minister, serves as the special representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for the Sahel region and head of the Messahel mission. He has been tasked by African leaders with intensifying communication with various parties in the region and leading the African Union's diplomatic and strategic support.
The African Union conference also called for enhanced coordination between the African Union, the Sahel countries, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the United Nations and other partners, with a focus on early warning, counter-terrorism, regional mediation, border management and resource mobilization.
In April 2026, Mamadou Tangara presented a report on the situation in Mali to the Peace and Security Council, calling for intensified high-level contacts with the Malian authorities and increased technical support for the security sector, particularly in the areas of training, early warning and strategic advice.
The Council also recommended strengthening cooperation between Mali and neighboring countries in the exchange of intelligence, joint border management, and countering armed groups, in addition to following up on issues of protecting civilians, ensuring access to humanitarian aid, and providing support to displaced persons.
Mahmoud Ali Youssef’s visit to the headquarters of the African Union mission comes at a time when the African Union Commission is working to strengthen its cooperation with the Sahel countries, as the African Union conference tasked Mamadou Tangara and the special envoy for the Sahel region, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, with developing continental relations and mobilizing political support for the African Union in the region.
The statement issued at the end of the visit affirmed the African Union Commission’s continued support for the Messahel mission and its mandate in Mali and the Sahel region, noting that the determination of its future activities will depend on consultations with the Malian authorities, the guidance of the Peace and Security Council, and the resources allocated to carry out its tasks.
