Ivory Coast sees 'unusual' flow of refugees fleeing Mali violence

Ivory Coast is enhancing security along its northern border due to a surge in refugees fleeing violence from Mali. Armed groups are attacking civilians in southern Mali, prompting the need for increased border protection after a National Security Council meeting.

Efforts to register asylum seekers are in progress as the situation escalates. Mali is grappling with a jihadist insurgency led by groups like Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which is expanding towards Ivory Coast.

Mali's foreign minister has rejected fears of jihadists capturing Bamako, despite the ongoing crisis. The insurgencies in the Sahel have displaced millions and caused wide-ranging economic issues.