Mali's military leader Gen Assimi Goïta has assumed the role of defence minister following the death of his predecessor in a wave of insurgent attacks. The West African nation is grappling with a severe security crisis after an alliance of jihadists and separatist rebels launched coordinated assaults across the country.
Key Takeaways
Mali's military leader Gen Assimi Goïta has taken over as defence minister after the previous holder was killed in insurgent attacks. The West African country faces a security crisis following coordinated raids by jihadists and separatist rebels, which have led to significant territorial losses for the government.
The offensive, which began on April 25, resulted in the killing of Defence Minister Sadio Camara in a suicide truck bombing near the capital, Bamako. A decree read on state television announced Goïta's appointment and the promotion of army chief of staff Gen Oumar Diarra to minister delegate.
The attacks have raised doubts about the strength of Goïta's military government, which came to power in a coup in August 2020. The insurgents, including the al-Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), have made significant gains, forcing Malian and allied Russian forces to withdraw from key areas such as Kidal.
In response, Mali has partnered with neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso to carry out air strikes against the insurgents. The three countries, all under military rule, have formed the Alliance of Sahel States and expelled French troops in favour of Russian support. Despite these efforts, large parts of the region remain outside government control.
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