Representatives of the town and the armed group reached an understanding backed by guarantees from the Malian army, following a siege that began in October 2025 and caused a severe humanitarian crisis

An agreement to lift the siege of Léré in Mali has officially entered the implementation phase following negotiations involving representatives of the town’s residents and guarantees from the Malian army aimed at facilitating a negotiated settlement.

The armed group had imposed the siege on Léré on 23 October 2025, cutting off essential supplies and causing a severe deterioration in humanitarian conditions inside the town.

During the negotiations, representatives of Léré said that residents had died of starvation as a result of the blockade, according to testimonies received directly by African Perceptions from members of the participating delegations. No independently verified official toll has yet been issued for deaths caused by shortages of food and medicine.

According to information from the negotiating process, the armed group demanded an end to the killing and pursuit of residents regarded as being affiliated with it in rural Léré and surrounding areas.

Some of the town’s representatives subsequently secured guarantees from the Malian army in support of a negotiated settlement that would allow the siege to be lifted and the movement of people and essential supplies into Léré to resume.

Sources said the understandings also included the authorities’ acceptance of mediation by local community leaders concerning people entering the town, as well as a commitment by government forces not to conduct operations in areas with large populations perceived as being affiliated with the group.

The beginning of the agreement’s implementation represents an initial step towards ending Léré’s humanitarian crisis. Its continuation will, however, depend on both sides respecting their reciprocal guarantees, the safe restoration of supply routes and the avoidance of military operations or arrests that could lead to the siege being reimposed.

The full terms of the agreement, its monitoring mechanism and the security arrangements governing the movement of residents and military forces in and around the town have not yet been made public.