Mali Defence Minister Killed in Rebel Attacks

Sadio Camara, Mali’s defence minister, was reportedly killed in an attack near Bamako, the capital, according to his family. The incident, described as a suicide truck bombing, occurred on Saturday and resulted in the deaths of at least three of his relatives. This event marks part of a broader wave of coordinated assaults by jihadist militants and separatist groups across the country.

FLA, the separatist Azawad Liberation Front, claimed responsibility for the attacks in Kidal and other northern regions. Following intense clashes, the group announced the permanent withdrawal of Russian mercenaries from the city. “Kidal is now free,” stated FLA spokesman Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, emphasizing that the city had not been entirely captured despite the fighting.

Meanwhile, the Malian military junta, led by General Assimi Goita, relocated its head to a secure location after his residence was targeted. The group also asserts control over Kidal, which had served as a key base for the separatist movement for over a decade before being recaptured in late 2023 by Malian forces with the assistance of Russian mercenaries.

“The incident appears to be the largest co-ordinated jihadist attack on Mali for years,” remarked Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel programme at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

The conflict in northern Mali has been ongoing, with groups like al-Qaeda and Islamic State-linked factions, as well as the FLA, engaging in sustained insurgencies. The FLA aims to establish an independent Tuareg state, while JNIM launched simultaneous attacks across multiple locations, including Gao, Kidal, and central cities such as Sevare and Mopti.

State broadcaster ORTM reported that 16 individuals, including civilians and soldiers, were injured in the attacks. The agency claimed the violence caused “limited damage” and that several terrorists were eliminated. Despite this, the military confirmed that fighting continued in Kidal and other areas, vowing that the assaults would “not go unanswered.”

A nationwide alert was activated, with increased patrols and reinforced checkpoints. Curfews are in place in certain regions, including Bamako, where the city will be under a 21:00 to 06:00 local time (GMT) restriction, set to end on Monday.

International responses included condemnation from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who expressed solidarity with the Malian people. Ecowas, the West African regional bloc, also criticized the attacks. Notably, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso withdrew from the group after military coups established their respective juntas.

“I am following the situation with deep concern,” said Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chair of the African Union Commission, highlighting the region’s instability.