Mali's Goita Assumes Defence Minister Role After Predecessor Killed in Attacks

Mali's military leader, Assimi Goita, has appointed himself defence minister following the death of his predecessor, Sadio Camara. The decree, announced on state television on Monday, also named army chief of staff Gen Oumar Diarra as minister delegate to assist him in the role. Camara was killed in a car bomb blast at his residence near Bamako during coordinated attacks that began on April 25.

The offensive involved an alliance of al-Qaeda-linked groups including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Tuareg separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front. Insurgents captured the northern city of Kidal, with Malian and allied forces withdrawing from the area.

The attacks led to at least 23 deaths, including civilians and children, according to the United Nations children's agency UNICEF. Refugees described atrocities during the fighting, and rebels demanded the withdrawal of Russian fighters from the country.

Authorities in Mali reported arresting soldiers allegedly linked to the offensive. The public prosecutor of a Bamako military court confirmed the arrests and said an investigation was ongoing into complicity among former and serving military personnel.

Malian authorities, along with those from Niger, confirmed that joint air strikes with forces from Niger and Burkina Faso began hours after the attacks started. The three nations form the Alliance of Sahel States.

JNIM collaborated with the Azawad Liberation Front, drawing from shared fighter pools in aggrieved communities. Rebels announced a blockade on Bamako in retaliation for public support of the army, though it has been only partially effective. Footage showed Russian paramilitaries conducting air strikes as rebels advanced.

More than a week after the offensives began, cities and towns across Mali continued to experience disruptions from the insurgent actions.