Malis President Goita Appoints Defence Minister After Previous Holders Death

Mali’s Military Government Appoints New Defence Minister Following Rebel Attacks

Assimi Goita, the leader of Mali’s military government, has taken on the role of defence minister following the killing of the previous minister, Sadio Camara, in a recent uprising by rebel groups. According to state television channel ORTM, Goita was appointed as defence minister after Camara’s death in a car bomb blast at his residence.

General Oumar Diarra, who served as military chief of staff, has been appointed as delegate minister to the defence ministry. The appointment comes amid ongoing security crises in Mali, which have been ongoing since at least 2012.

Rebel groups, including al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Liberation Front for Azawad (FLA), have been active in the country, controlling large areas of rural territory, particularly in the north and central regions. The groups have also clashed with Mali’s military and allied Russian mercenaries.

The latest attacks, which took place over a week ago, resulted in the deaths of at least 23 people, including civilians and children. The United Nations Children’s Agency (UNICEF) reported that many of those affected were among the dead and injured.

Mali has been experiencing security crises since 2012, with various groups operating in different regions. The country has also cut ties with its former colonial ruler, France, and expelled French forces and United Nations peacekeeping missions.

In July, military authorities granted Assimi Goita a five-year presidential mandate, which can be renewed “as many times as necessary” without an election. Russia’s Wagner Group, which had been aiding Malian forces against armed groups since 2021, has now become the Africa Corps, an organisation under the direct control of the Russian defence ministry.

A blockade announced by rebel groups in response to the attacks has only partially been effective, according to reports from Bamako.

Source: Al Jazeera