Mali junta leader names himself defence minister after predecessor killed

Former Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in a massive offensive by combined jihadist and separatist forces. Assimi Goïta: Mali junta leader names himself defence minister after predecessor killed Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Gen Assimi Goïta promised to tackle Mali's long-running security crisis when he seized power in 2020 Gen Assimi Goïta is pictured wearing a white cap at top. He also wears an earpiece. Mali junta leader names himself defence minister after predecessor killed Mali's military leader Gen Assimi Goïta has taken over as defence minister after the officer who previously held the post was killed in a wave of surprise attacks. The West African country remains in a security crisis more than a week after an alliance of jihadists and separatist rebels launched their nationwide raids. During the offensive, Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence near the capital, Bamako. Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence near the capital, Bamako. A decree read on state television on Monday said Goïta would replace Camara as defence minister. He will be assisted by army chief ​of staff Gen Oumar ⁠Diarra, who has been appointed minister delegate. A group of fighters in camouglage stand around a pick-up truck on a dusty road. One man in near silhouette - standing on the vehicle - is holding an automatic rifle up. On the left of the picture is the brown and yellow legs of a sculpture. What next for Mali's military leaders after shock of rebel offensive? Footage of an airstrike against rebel vehicles in Mali. It is imposed over the BBC Verify colours and branding. Russian paramilitary carried out air strikes in Mali as rebels advanced, footage shows A motorcyclist rides past a monument in support of the Malian Army in Bamako on April 26, 2026. 'How are we going to get back home?' Islamist group tightens blockade on Mali capital Goïta's decision to simultaneously lead the presidency and the defence ministry is likely to be interpreted as an attempt to consolidate power at a time when his authority appears to be threatened. On 25 April, residents in cities and towns across Mali woke to gunfire and explosion, as an alliance of two groups - the separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and the al-Qaeda-linked JNIM - launched coordinated attacks. The insurgents have since imposed a partial blockade on Bamako and other cities. The scale of the offensive, which led to the withdrawal of Malian and allied Russian forces from the northern city of Kidal, has fuelled doubts about the strength of Goïta's military government, which came to power in a coup in August 2020. Over the weekend, the Malian authorities said they had arrested a group of soldiers allegedly linked to the offensive. According to the public prosecutor of a Bamako military court, an investigation had found former and serving military personnel were complicit in planning and executing the attacks. Mali's authorities also said they had partnered with the armed forces in neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso to carry out air strikes against the jihadists and separatists. In a statement, Niger's authorities said the joint operation started just hours after the jihadists and separatists attacked. The three countries, all under military rule, have formed the Alliance of Sahel States, and have expelled troops from France, the former colonial power, and have instead brought in Russian forces to help hold back the insurgents who are wreaking havoc across the region. However, the attacks have continued and large parts of all three countries remain outside government control. Silhouettes of two people from Mali at M'berra refugee camp in Mauritania as the sun is low in the sky Russian mercenaries accused of cold-blooded killings in Mali - BBC speaks to eyewitnesses JNIM fighters train in an undisclosed location in West Africa's Sahel region. How an al-Qaeda offshoot became one of Africa's deadliest militant groups A man covered with a Russian flag waves his arms and shouts as supporters of Niger's military leaders gather to demonstrate outside the Niger and French airbases in Niamey on August 27, 2023 Three West African juntas have turned to Russia. Now the US wants to engage them A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica The blockade comes days after Mali's defence minister was assassinated in a series of nationwide attacks. The UK has issued similar advice, telling citizens who stay, that they do so at their own risk. Last weekend's attacks came as the Africa Corps withdrew from a key base in northern Mali. Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, who came third and fourth respectively in the last elections, switch parties. There has been a wave of anti-migrant protests in South Africa, some of which have turned violent. Unwitting donors hand over money to save suffering animals but Ugandan con artists pocket the cash. A search and rescue operation is underway for the service members, who are believed to have been involved in an accident, according to authorities. Police suspect the human remains belong to a businessman swept away by floodwater last week.