Mali’s defence minister, Sadio Camara was killed in an attack on his residence, the government said on Sunday, a high-profile fatality during coordinated assaults staged the previous day by insurgents including the West African affiliate of al-Qaida.
A car laden with explosives driven by a suicide attacker drove into Sadio Camara’s residence in the town of Kati, the spokesperson, Issa Ousmane Coulibaly, said in a statement read out on state television.
A firefight ensued, and Camara sustained injuries from which he later died in a hospital, Coulibaly said, adding that Mali would observe two days of mourning.
Camara was a central figure in Mali’s military leadership and gained prominence for his role in the coups that ushered in the current junta in 2020 and 2021.
His position within the ruling structure made him one of the most influential figures in the country.
“He was one of the most influential figures within the ruling military leadership and had been seen by some as a possible future leader of Mali,” said Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque, who has reported extensively from Mali.
“His death is a major blow to the country’s armed forces.”
Security analysts say the scale and coordination of the attacks appear to have taken Mali’s armed forces by surprise, placing additional pressure on the interim government.
Though, despite the attacks, Interim President Assimi Goita is reported to be safe.
However, the attacks have drawn widespread condemnation from international organisations, including the African Union, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the United States Bureau of African Affairs, all of which have called for swift action to stabilise the country.
