Mali’s Defence Minister Sadio Camara has reportedly been killed in a major insurgent attack targeting his residence near the Kati military base outside the capital, according to French media and family members.
France’s RFI and two relatives said Camara died following Saturday’s assault, though Malian authorities have yet to officially confirm the claim. A relative speaking to Reuters confirmed his death, while a journalist identified as his brother-in-law also reported it publicly.
The attack in Kati, about 15 kilometres north of Bamako, was part of a broader, coordinated offensive across multiple regions led by al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), operating in conjunction with a Tuareg-dominated armed group.
Government officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while the armed forces said operations were ongoing to repel insurgents across several locations. Gunfire was reported in Kati on Sunday morning.
If confirmed, Camara’s death would mark a significant blow to Mali’s military leadership. Analysts say he was a central figure in the ruling junta and a key architect of the country’s deepening military ties with Russia following the withdrawal of Western forces.
“This would demonstrate the ability of jihadist groups to strike at the heart of state power,” said Djenabou Cisse, an analyst with the Foundation for Strategic Research.
Saturday’s attacks extended beyond Kati, hitting areas near Bamako’s airport as well as towns in central and northern Mali, including Mopti, Sevare and Gao.
The situation in the strategic northern city of Kidal remained unclear. A Tuareg-led group claimed it had seized control and said an arrangement had been reached allowing Russian mercenaries to withdraw from a besieged base. However, Mali’s military said fighting was ongoing and denied losing control.
Analysts said the offensive represents a major setback for Russia, which has supported Mali’s military rulers since they expelled French and other Western forces.
Russian state media reported that members of the Africa Corps were engaged in repelling the attacks alongside Malian forces and the presidential guard, adding that some personnel were wounded.
The large-scale assault highlights persistent security failures by Mali’s military government, which has repeatedly pledged to restore stability after seizing power in coups in 2020 and 2021.
Militant groups linked to al-Qaeda and Daesh have intensified operations in recent years, including high-profile attacks near Bamako and a sustained blockade disrupting fuel and electricity supplies in the capital.
The United Nations condemned the latest violence and called for a stronger international response to growing instability across the Sahel.