Assimi Goïta, the military ruler of Mali, has appointed himself defence minister following the death of his predecessor in a series of coordinated militant attacks.
The move comes after Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in what officials described as a suicide truck bombing targeting his residence near the capital, Bamako.
A decree broadcast on state television confirmed that Goïta would take over the defence portfolio while continuing as president. He will be supported by army chief Oumar Diarra, who has been named minister delegate.
The decision to combine both roles is widely seen as an effort to consolidate authority amid growing security challenges and questions over the junta’s control.
The crisis escalated on April 25, when fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front and the al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin launched coordinated attacks across multiple regions. Residents in several cities reported gunfire and explosions as the offensive unfolded.
Since then, insurgents have imposed a partial blockade on Bamako and other urban centers. The intensity of the attacks forced Malian and allied Russian forces to withdraw from the northern city of Kidal, raising concerns about the military government’s strength.
Authorities say several soldiers have been arrested over alleged links to the হামলা. According to prosecutors, both former and active military personnel were involved in planning and executing the অভিযান.
In response, Mali has coordinated with neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso to conduct joint air strikes against militant and separatist positions. The three countries, all under military rule, are members of the Alliance of Sahel States and have increasingly relied on Russian support after expelling French forces.
Despite these efforts, insurgent violence continues to spread, with large areas of the তিন দেশ remaining beyond government control.