Mali transitional president assumes duties of defense minister
The Malian transitional presidency announced in a decree issued this Monday afternoon that the transitional president, General Assimi Goita, the supreme commander of the armed forces, has assumed the duties of Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, more than a week after the position became vacant following the killing of Minister Sadio Camara in an armed attack.
A second presidential decree, broadcast on state television, announced the appointment of General Omar Diarra, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, as Minister Delegate to the Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
Sadio Camara was killed in an armed attack on the morning of April 25, which targeted his home in the Kati area near the capital, Bamako.
The attack on Kati was one of seven simultaneous attacks targeting Bamako, Kona, Sévaré, Mopti, Kidal and Gao, claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims in alliance with the Azawad Liberation Front.
The Azawad Liberation Front later announced that it had taken control of the strategic northern cities of Kidal and Tessalit, while the army confirmed that the situation was under control and that the pursuit of the militants was ongoing.
Yesterday, it announced the killing of 17 militants in an attack in the town of Sebabougou in Keita province.
