Deadly shooting near Mali’s national broadcaster in Bamako

Two men killed near ORTM headquarters in Bamako

In Bamako, two young men were fatally shot by military personnel early Thursday morning near the headquarters of Mali’s national broadcaster, the Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision du Mali (ORTM). The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. in a high-security zone that also includes a prominent hotel in the capital.

According to military authorities, the two individuals, traveling on a motorcycle, allegedly attempted to breach security checkpoints surrounding the ORTM facility. However, conflicting accounts suggest the men may have been seasonal workers heading to a nearby construction site.

The shooting has sparked mixed reactions among residents, who are increasingly accustomed to the frequent security barriers across the city. While some acknowledge the military’s right to enforce restrictions, others question the necessity of lethal force.

Security tightened after fatal confrontation

Security checkpoints in the ORTM area were established shortly before the incident, following coordinated attacks by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) in multiple locations, including Bamako. Military officials claim the two men ignored warning shots after allegedly forcing their way through the first checkpoint.

A local driver, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized the risks of disregarding security protocols. « Everyone knows that during periods of heightened alert, unauthorized access to this zone is prohibited. If alerts sound, stopping is the only safe option. The soldiers were justified in their response. »

Doubt lingers over the circumstances

Not everyone agrees with the military’s account. Seyba, a Bamako resident, argues that non-lethal measures could have been used to detain the men for questioning. « Why not target the motorcycle or wound them to force compliance? Now that they’re dead, we may never learn the truth. Even if they were suspected militants, we’ll never know what really happened. »

Local testimonies suggest the victims were seasonal workers unaware of the strict security measures in place. Since the incident, security around the ORTM, military camps, and Bamako-Sénou International Airport has been significantly reinforced, with access now restricted to travelers and authorized personnel only.