Mali’s defence minister, Sadio Camara, has been killed in a deadly attack on his home, as violence spreads across the country and puts the ruling military government under serious strain.
Family members confirmed on Sunday that Camara died alongside his second wife and two grandchildren after a car bomb exploded at his residence in Kati, a military stronghold just outside Bamako.
The killing came as clashes between government forces and armed groups entered a second day, with fighting reported in multiple locations, including Kati, Kidal, Gao and Sévaré.
The coordinated attacks among the most intense in recent years were carried out by Tuareg separatist fighters linked to the Azawad Liberation Front and jihadists from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims.
In the north, Tuareg fighters said they had reached an agreement allowing Malian troops and their Russian backers to withdraw from parts of Kidal.
Residents reported seeing military convoys leaving, while armed groups moved in and took control of the streets. Kidal has long been a symbolic and strategic prize in Mali’s conflict.
Although the government said the situation was under control, the attacks have shaken confidence.
Roads leading to military sites in the capital have been blocked off, and residents in affected areas remain on edge.
“I can still hear the explosions,” one local said. “It’s something you don’t forget.”
Officials reported at least 16 people wounded, including both civilians and soldiers, though the full toll may be higher.
The unrest has drawn international concern. António Guterres condemned the violence and called for stronger global support to tackle growing insecurity in the Sahel.
Mali has been battling insurgency and instability for over a decade, but this latest wave of attacks stands out for its scale and coordination.
Since seizing power in 2020, the military government has shifted alliances, cutting ties with Western partners and deepening cooperation with Russia a move that has reshaped the country’s security landscape but has yet to bring lasting stability.
