Mali defence minister reportedly killed

Mali’s defence minister, Sadio Camara, has reportedly been killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing targeting his residence near the capital, Bamako, during one of the most extensive militant offensives in recent years.

Family members quoted by international media said the attack took place on Saturday in the garrison town of Kati and also killed several relatives. There has been no official confirmation from the country’s military authorities.

The reported killing comes as armed groups launched near-simultaneous attacks across multiple areas, underlining the fragile security situation in the West African nation.

Coordinated assaults across the country

The violence involved fighters linked to Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an Islamist group aligned with al-Qaeda, as well as separatist forces from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA).

Clashes were reported in central towns including Mopti and Sévaré, as well as in the northern cities of Gao and Kidal.

Security analysts say the scale and coordination of the attacks suggest months of preparation and represent a significant escalation in the conflict.

Fighting in the north and disputed claims

In Kidal, heavy fighting continued into Sunday between separatist fighters, Malian forces and foreign mercenaries supporting the government.

The FLA said it had reached an agreement with Russian fighters to allow their withdrawal and later claimed full control of the city. These claims have not been independently verified, and the military has not confirmed losing control.

Kidal has long been a strategic stronghold for Tuareg separatists and was only retaken by government forces in 2023 with the help of Russian allies.

Pressure on the military government

The attacks pose a serious challenge to the junta led by Assimi Goïta, which seized power in 2020 promising to restore security.

Reports suggest Gen Goïta was moved to a secure location after his residence was also targeted, though authorities have not publicly confirmed this.

State broadcaster ORTM said several people, including civilians and soldiers, were injured, while adding that security forces had killed a number of militants. It insisted the situation was “under control” in most affected areas, although the military acknowledged that fighting was still ongoing in some locations.

Curfews have been imposed in parts of the country, including Bamako, and security patrols have been intensified nationwide.

International reaction

António Guterres condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with the Malian people, while ECOWAS also denounced the attacks.

Mali, along with Burkina Faso and Niger, has faced increasing instability following a series of military coups and a prolonged Islamist insurgency.

A deepening security crisis

For more than a decade, Mali has struggled with attacks by jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, alongside separatist movements seeking autonomy in the north.

The withdrawal of French forces and UN peacekeepers, and the government’s turn towards Russian security support, have failed to stem the violence, with large parts of the country remaining outside state control.

If confirmed, the death of Defence Minister Camara would mark one of the most significant blows to Mali’s leadership in recent years and highlight the growing reach of militant groups across the Sahel.

Source: BBC News