Mali military shooting near ORTM in Bamako

Two young men were fatally shot by military personnel near the headquarters of Mali’s public broadcaster, ORTM, early Thursday morning. The incident occurred near a heavily fortified zone that also includes a major hotel in Bamako.

The two individuals, traveling on a motorcycle, allegedly attempted to breach security barriers around the ORTM complex, according to military authorities. However, local accounts suggest they were seasonal workers heading to their construction site.

In Bamako, public reaction to the shooting has been divided, particularly regarding the military’s decision to open fire. Residents have grown accustomed to the frequent security checkpoints throughout the capital.

Increased security measures

Security checkpoints were established near the ORTM building on the morning of April 25 during ongoing clashes between Malian armed forces and militants from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), who had simultaneously attacked seven locations across the country, including Bamako.

Military officials stated that the two men ignored warning shots fired by personnel at the first checkpoint they encountered. After allegedly breaching the barrier, the soldiers fired additional warning shots before fatally shooting both individuals.

A local driver, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed understanding for the soldiers’ actions. « Everyone knows this area is off-limits during heightened security alerts. Unless you have authorization, passing through is prohibited. If there’s an alert, you must stop to avoid trouble. I believe the soldiers were justified in their response. »

Questions remain over the shooting

Not everyone shares this view. Seyba, a Bamako resident, argued that the soldiers could have taken measures to stop the motorcycle without killing the riders, allowing for their interrogation afterward. « They should have aimed for the bike or the riders’ legs to disable them. Now that both are dead, we’ll never know what really happened. Even if they were suspected militants, this incident raises serious doubts. »

Based on local testimonies, the two men were seasonal workers heading to their construction site. Their actions may have stemmed from ignorance of the current security protocols, according to sources.

In response to the incident, security around the ORTM area has been tightened. Similar measures have been implemented at military camps in the capital and at Bamako-Sénou International Airport, which now operates under heightened security protocols with access restricted to travelers and authorized personnel only.