Mali’s junta leader, Assimi Goïta, will assume the additional role of defence minister, according to a decree read on state TV on Monday, following the death of the previous minister in large-scale attacks. Mali’s army chief of staff, General Oumar Diarra, ⁠will serve as minister delegate for defence, said the report, which described the move as a “strategic decision ​coming in a security context that remains ‌sensitive”. The simultaneous attacks beginning on the morning of April 25 showed how fighters from different groups with different goals were ‌able to strike at the heart of the West African country’s military government, ​which took power after coups in 2020 and 2021.

​Full report : The leader of Mali’s military government, Assimi Goïta, has taken over as defence minister after the military officer who previously ​filled ‌the role was killed in coordinated attacks ⁠on April 25 by al Qaeda-linked militants.