In a gesture of solidarity and support, Mali's Minister of Expatriates and African Integration, Mossa Ag Attaher, conducted a series of visits on October 28, 2026, to families of returned migrants and African communities living in Mali. This initiative is part of the Month of Solidarity and the Fight Against Social Exclusion. The minister's visits aimed to assess the living conditions of these vulnerable groups, listen to their concerns, and provide them with material and financial assistance.
During the visits, the minister and his delegation distributed food items, including cereals, sugar, oil, powdered milk, and tea, as well as school supplies to the families. Each family received a kit containing these essential items. The minister also provided symbolic financial assistance to support the families. One of the beneficiaries, Amadou Ba, who was expelled from Germany in January 2017, expressed gratitude for the government's support, which he said will encourage him in his reintegration process.
The minister's delegation also visited Madame Diarra Wassa Traoré, a Malian woman who was repatriated from her home with her six children on September 24, 2026. The family had initially received assistance at the Reception and Orientation Center for Malians Abroad. As part of her sustainable reintegration, Madame Traoré received a kit to help her launch an income-generating activity, promoting her economic autonomy and facilitating the reconstruction of her life with her children.
Another beneficiary of the minister's visit was the family of Hamidou Hamara Maïga, who was repatriated from Gabon in August 2026. The family of five is currently residing in Attbougou, in the commune of Kati, and is receiving support from the department. Hamidou Hamara Maïga expressed his gratitude to the Malian government for its solidarity gesture, saying it will go a long way in supporting his family.
The minister's visits also extended to African communities living in Mali, highlighting the government's commitment to promoting African integration and fraternity. At Faladié-Solola in Bamako, the minister visited Tia Bernard, an Ivorian national who has been living in Mali since 1990. Bernard, a 80-year-old technician, expressed his appreciation for the hospitality he has received in Mali and acknowledged that he has never felt like a stranger.
The visits by Minister Mossa Ag Attaher underscore the importance of solidarity and support for vulnerable communities in Mali. The minister emphasized that solidarity should not be limited to occasional assistance but should also involve attentive listening, presence, and adapted support to meet the needs of these communities. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting returned Malians in their reintegration process and strengthening relations with African communities established in Mali.
The initiative by Minister Mossa Ag Attaher reflects the Malian government's efforts to address the challenges faced by returned migrants and African communities living in Mali. By providing material and financial assistance, the government aims to promote social inclusion and support the reintegration of vulnerable groups. The visits also highlight the importance of collaboration between government agencies and communities to address social and economic challenges.
Key points
- The Malian government's initiative aims to support returned migrants and African communities through material and financial assistance.
- The visits by Minister Mossa Ag Attaher reflect the government's commitment to promoting solidarity and African integration.
- The initiative provides a platform for the government to engage with vulnerable communities and address their concerns.
