April 27, 2026 | 07:38 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Defense Minister of Mali, Sadio Camara, has passed away after sustaining serious injuries from an attack at his residence in Kati, near the capital city of Bamako. The government has described the attack as part of a coordinated terrorist action.
In an official statement read by government spokesperson Issa Ousmane Coulibaly on national television, as reported by Anadolu, the transitional government confirmed that Camara succumbed to injuries sustained in the terrorist incident that occurred a day earlier.
The attack is said to have involved a suicide bomber driving a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) targeting the minister's residence in Kati, one of Mali's main military centers. Camara reportedly engaged in a firefight and managed to neutralize some attackers before being seriously injured. He was then taken to the hospital, but did not survive. The collapse of the building due to the explosion also caused additional casualties and destroyed a nearby mosque, resulting in the deaths of several people.
In this sorrowful situation, General Assimi Goita, the transitional president as well as head of state and the supreme commander of the armed forces, the government, and the people of Mali, extend their deepest condolences to the family of the deceased," stated the government of Mali.
According to witnesses, Camara may had been going about his morning routine when the attack occurred. "He used to go jogging early, and after that, he would head to the mosque near his house for the dawn prayer," said a resident who preferred not to be named. It has not been confirmed whether Camara was at home or on his way to the mosque at the time of the incident.
The attack is part of a wave of assaults targeting military installations and strategic positions in various regions of Mali. The military has stated that operations are ongoing in Bamako, Kati, and other areas to pursue the perpetrators.
The Chief of Staff of the Army, General Oumar Diarra, stated that terrorist groups have carried out more than 20 attacks across the country. He added that Malian forces have "neutralized" more than 200 militants and recaptured a number of military equipment from the terrorists.
Diarra also warned that the attackers are now using military uniforms to infiltrate civilian populations. In his message to the public, he urged people to remain calm. He also requested that citizens not readily believe unverified information and only refer to official military statements. He also urged the public to report suspicious activities to the security forces.
Camara's death is a blow to Mali's military leadership amid ongoing security challenges. Camara, born in 1979, was a career officer known for playing a significant role since the 2020 military coup. He was a key architect of the country's security strategy, including reshaping international partnerships after the withdrawal of foreign troops.
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