Mali junta leader names himself defence minister after predecessor killed
Mali's military leader, Gen Assimi Goïta, has appointed himself defence minister following the death of his predecessor, Sadio Camara, in a suicide truck bombing. The attack was part of a coordinated offensive by an alliance of jihadists and separatist rebels that has destabilized the country. Goïta's move consolidates his power amid growing security challenges and questions about the military government's effectiveness.
- ▪Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in a suicide truck bombing on his residence near Bamako.
- ▪An alliance of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and al-Qaeda-linked JNIM launched coordinated attacks across Mali on 25 April.
- ▪Malian authorities have arrested soldiers allegedly complicit in the attacks and are conducting joint air strikes with Niger and Burkina Faso.
- ▪Goïta, who led a coup in 2020, now holds both the presidency and defence ministry roles.
- ▪Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have formed the Alliance of Sahel States and rely on Russian forces after expelling French troops.
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Mali junta leader names himself defence minister after predecessor killed5 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleWedaeli ChibelushiAFP via Getty ImagesGen Assimi Goïta promised to tackle Mali's long-running security crisis when he seized power in 2020Mali's military leader Gen Assimi Goïta has taken over as defence minister after the officer who previously held the post was killed in a wave of surprise attacks.The West African country remains in a security crisis more than a week after an alliance of jihadists and separatist rebels launched their nationwide raids.During the offensive, Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence near the capital, Bamako.A decree read on state television on Monday said Goïta would replace Camara as…
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