Mali’s Defence Minister, Sadio Camara, was killed on April 25 in a coordinated attack on his residence in Kati, a key military town about 15 kilometres from the capital.
The assault reportedly involved a vehicle-borne explosive device and formed part of a wider series of attacks claimed by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked group active across the Sahel. Other targets included military positions and strategic sites in and around Bamako, as well as northern towns.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that intelligence chief Modibo Koné and army chief Oumar Diarra were seriously wounded.
Junta leader Assimi Goïta was not harmed and is reported to be in a secure location. The government said security forces are conducting counter-operations as fighting continues.
Camara was a key figure in Mali’s military government following the 2020–2021 coups. His death marks a significant escalation in the country’s ongoing security crisis.
