Mali’s Defence minister, Sadio Camara, was killed after sustaining injuries from a suicide truck bombing that targeted his residence in Kati near the capital, Bamako, on April 25.
The attack, which occurred on Saturday, also claimed the lives of at least three of his family members and caused significant destruction, including the collapse of his home and damage to a nearby mosque.
The Malian Government confirmed that S. Camara was wounded while engaging attackers and later died in hospital. The assault formed part of a broader wave of coordinated attacks by jihadist militants, notably the al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, alongside separatist fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front.
Simultaneous violence was reported across multiple regions on Saturday, including Kati, Gao, Kidal, Sevare and Mopti. In Kidal, separatist forces claimed control of the city and announced the withdrawal of Russian mercenaries following clashes, although the Malian military has not confirmed this. The attacks prompted heightened security measures nationwide, including curfews and reinforced patrols. International actors, including António Guterres and regional bloc ECOWAS, condemned the violence.
The latest developments underscore the deepening security crisis in Mali, where jihadist insurgencies and separatist ambitions continue to challenge the military-led Government of Assimi Goïta.