The Malian junta has escalated its territorial control strategy by designating 40 forests as military zones, barring civilian access to these areas. An official decree made public in early June 2026 restricts entry to these wooded regions, which are now reserved exclusively for military operations. The move targets suspected strongholds of Islamic State-affiliated groups and the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), aiming to dismantle their logistical networks.

Military mapping reshapes land use across Mali

The decree outlines specific forest areas across central and southern Mali, including regions long exploited by armed factions as hideouts. By sealing off these spaces, authorities intend to disrupt insurgent supply lines and enable unobstructed aerial surveillance and strikes. Forests, traditionally vital for local livelihoods—providing firewood, medicinal plants, and grazing land—now fall under military oversight, altering centuries-old resource access.

Under the new rules, unauthorized civilian entry is punishable, and security operations can proceed without notice. This policy aligns with the junta’s post-2020 security doctrine, which pivoted away from foreign military partnerships toward Russian support after severing ties with French forces.

Military gains versus humanitarian risks

The success of this approach hinges on the Malian Armed Forces’ (FAMa) ability to sustain control over vast forested territories. Since the withdrawal of the UN MINUSMA peacekeeping mission in 2023, helicopter raids and precision strikes have become central to Mali’s counterinsurgency. The new zones reinforce this strategy but risk exacerbating hardship for rural communities dependent on forest resources, already strained by drought, food inflation, and border closures.

Similar measures in Burkina Faso in 2023 resulted in mass internal displacements, raising concerns about Mali’s own humanitarian fallout. The junta has not disclosed plans for compensating affected populations or addressing economic disruptions, including artisanal mining operations near targeted forests.

Regional shift toward militarized security

Mali’s policy mirrors broader Sahel trends, with Burkina Faso and Niger—allied under the Confederation of Sahel States (AES)—expanding militarized zones since 2024. This shared stance prioritizes physical control of peripheral regions, often suspending customary land rights. International observers, including human rights groups, warn of potential abuses in such high-security areas, while regional neighbors and remaining donors assess the junta’s balance of military efficacy and civilian protection.

The economic ripple effects are also unclear. Gold mining concessions and small-scale operations along forest edges may face restrictions, though no compensation framework has been announced. The decree’s implementation could further isolate communities already grappling with cascading crises.