What’s driving attacks against gov’t and Russian forces in Mali?

Opponents, including an al-Qaeda-linked group, join forces.

Former enemies in Mali, including an al-Qaeda-linked group, have join forces to target military sites.

Russian mercenaries backing the government have come under attack.

Oluwole Ojewale – Regional co-ordinator for West and Central Africa at the Institute for Security Studies

Nicolas Normand – Former French Ambassador to Mali and vice president of the Friends of Mali Association

Ovigwe Eguegu – Policy analyst at Development Reimagined, an independent African think tank, and a specialist in West Africa and Sahel geopolitics