The Defense Minister of Mali, Sadio Camara, died in a suicide truck bombing near the capital city of Bamako. Mali’s state television announced that the minister was critically injured in the explosion and subsequently passed away. The militant group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the attack on military barracks in Mali.
April 27, Kathmandu – Camara’s family has confirmed that his death resulted from a suicide truck bombing. Mali’s government television had earlier reported the minister’s fatal injuries shortly after the attack. The residence of Mali’s President Assimi Goïta also came under attack during the assault, and the president has been relocated to a secure location.
Mali is currently grappling with escalating violence and instability. Since Saturday morning, extremist groups have launched continuous attacks throughout Bamako and other cities. Under military rule, Mali has seen targeted strikes on military barracks, the defense minister’s home, and other key sites. The separatist Azawad Liberation Front (ALF) claims control of some areas following the withdrawal of Russian mercenaries.
The rebel group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has claimed responsibility for this coordinated attack. They targeted the homes of national leaders General Goïta and Defense Minister Camara, as well as military barracks. Al Jazeera described the scale of coordination in this assault as unprecedented, causing widespread alarm within military ranks. Alex Vines, the Africa Director at the European External Action Service, noted that Malian officials expressed surprise at the nature of these attacks.
