Mali’s political instability deepens as military leader General Assimi Goïta appoints himself Defence Minister following the killing of his predecessor. The move is widely seen as an attempt to tighten control over the country’s fragile power structure, raising concerns about further consolidation of authority and weakening institutional balance.


Mali Junta Chief Assimi Goita To Double As Defence Minister

Loud explosions and sustained gunfire rocked the area near Mali’s main military base in Kati, outside the capital city of Bamako, early Saturday morning, after which soldiers were deployed to block off roads in the area. Kati is the home of military ruler General Assimi Goita. Besides, there was fighting in Gao, the largest city in northern Mali, as well as in Sevare, in central Mali. Gunfire was also heard near Mali’s international airport.&nbsp;No group claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Mali’s army said unidentified “terrorist” groups had attacked several positions in the capital and elsewhere in the country. Later on Saturday, the army ⁠said that the situation was under control.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-us-of-energy-grab-says-iran-and-venezuela-military-actions-only-about-oil-1777115468087">Russia accuses US of energy grab, says Iran and Venezuela military actions only ‘about oil’</a><h2>Mali grappling with jihadi insurgency for over a decade</h2>&nbsp;Mali has been grappling with a jihadi insurgency for over a decade, battling West African affiliates of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. It also has a much longer history of Tuareg-led rebellion in the north.&nbsp;Military leaders seized power in Mali after coups in 2020 and 2021, vowing to restore security in the Sahel country where militants control large areas in the north and centre and keep attacking the army and civilians.&nbsp;The military government, led by Goita, has relied on Russian mercenaries for security support while initially pursuing defence cooperation with Western countries. Recently, it has pursued closer ties with the US.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/justice-department-drops-criminal-probe-of-fed-chair-powell-likely-clearing-the-way-for-kevin-warsh-1777055359799">Justice Department drops criminal probe of Fed chair Jerome Powell, likely paving the way for Kevin Warsh</a>&nbsp;<h2>Junta had pledged to hand over power to civilians by March 2024</h2>&nbsp;The military rulers cracked down on critics and dissolved political parties. The junta had pledged to hand over power to civilians by March 2024, but in July 2025, it granted Goita a five-year presidential term that could be renewed “as many times as necessary” without holding elections.&nbsp;There were “simultaneous complex attacks” in Kati, near Bamako’s airport and in cities and towns further north, including Mopti, Gao and Kidal. The US embassy in Mali urged its citizens to shelter in place.“There’s gunfire everywhere,” said a witness in the central town of Sevare. Defence Minister Sadio Camara’s house in Kati was hit and destroyed.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rbi-cancels-licence-of-paytm-payments-bank-to-seek-winding-up-in-court-1777048619815">RBI cancels licence of Paytm Payments Bank, to seek its winding up in court</a>&nbsp;Mali is battling insurgencies by the West African affiliates of al Qaeda and Islamic State. It is also grappling with a much longer history of Tuareg-led rebellion in the north. The government led by Assimi Goita took power after coups in 2020 and 2021 vowing to restore security, but has struggled to do so.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-blockade-of-iranian-vessels-to-continue-for-as-long-as-it-takes-defence-secretary-pete-hegseth-1777040971899">US blockade of Iranian vessels to continue for ‘as long as it takes’: Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth</a><h2>Situation under control, ‘sweeping operations’ ongoing: Mali’s army</h2>&nbsp;Mali’s army said shortly after 11 am (1100 GMT) that the situation was under control and “sweeping operations” were ongoing.&nbsp;There was no immediate claim from al Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which frequently stages attacks on military installations.FLA spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane said on social media its forces had taken control ⁠of positions in Gao and one of two military camps in Kidal.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/anna-hazare-holds-aap-leadership-responsible-for-exit-of-raghav-chadha-6-other-mps-1777121786506">Anna Hazare holds AAP leadership responsible for exit of Raghav Chadha, 6 other MPs</a>&nbsp;The attacks signal an escalation in insurgency, which began in 2012 when Tuareg separatists and al Qaeda-linked fighters seized large swathes of northern Mali.“This looks like the biggest coordinated attack for years,” said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel programme at Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Mali has been grappling with jihadi insurgency for over a decade, battling West African affiliates of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. It also has a much longer history of Tuareg-led rebellion in the north. Military seized power after coups in 2020 and 2021, vowing to restore security.

Loud explosions and sustained gunfire rocked the area near Mali’s main military base in Kati, outside the capital city of Bamako, early Saturday morning, after which soldiers were deployed to block off roads in the area. Kati is the home of military ruler General Assimi Goita. Besides, there was fighting in Gao, the largest city in northern Mali, as well as in Sevare, in central Mali. Gunfire was also heard near Mali’s international airport. No group claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Mali’s army said unidentified “terrorist” groups had attacked several positions in the capital and elsewhere in the country. Later on Saturday, the army ⁠said that the situation was under control. Also Read: Russia accuses US of energy grab, says Iran and Venezuela military actions only ‘about oil’ Mali grappling with jihadi insurgency for over a decade Mali has been grappling with a jihadi insurgency for over a decade, battling West African affiliates of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. It also has a much longer history of Tuareg-led rebellion in the north. Military leaders seized power in Mali after coups in 2020 and 2021, vowing to restore security in the Sahel country where militants control large areas in the north and centre and keep attacking the army and civilians. The military government, led by Goita, has relied on Russian mercenaries for security support while initially pursuing defence cooperation with Western countries. Recently, it has pursued closer ties with the US. Also Read: Justice Department drops criminal probe of Fed chair Jerome Powell, likely paving the way for Kevin Warsh Junta had pledged to hand over power to civilians by March 2024 The military rulers cracked down on critics and dissolved political parties. The junta had pledged to hand over power to civilians by March 2024, but in July 2025, it granted Goita a five-year presidential term that could be renewed “as many times as necessary” without holding elections. There were “simultaneous complex attacks” in Kati, near Bamako’s airport and in cities and towns further north, including Mopti, Gao and Kidal. The US embassy in Mali urged its citizens to shelter in place. “There’s gunfire everywhere,” said a witness in the central town of Sevare. Defence Minister Sadio Camara’s house in Kati was hit and destroyed. Also Read: RBI cancels licence of Paytm Payments Bank, to seek its winding up in court Mali is battling insurgencies by the West African affiliates of al Qaeda and Islamic State. It is also grappling with a much longer history of Tuareg-led rebellion in the north. The government led by Assimi Goita took power after coups in 2020 and 2021 vowing to restore security, but has struggled to do so. Also Read: US blockade of Iranian vessels to continue for ‘as long as it takes’: Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth Situation under control, ‘sweeping operations’ ongoing: Mali’s army Mali’s army said shortly after 11 am (1100 GMT) that the situation was under control and “sweeping operations” were ongoing. There was no immediate claim from al Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which frequently stages attacks on military installations. FLA spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane said on social media its forces had taken control ⁠of positions in Gao and one of two military camps in Kidal. Also Read: Anna Hazare holds AAP leadership responsible for exit of Raghav Chadha, 6 other MPs The attacks signal an escalation in insurgency, which began in 2012 when Tuareg separatists and al Qaeda-linked fighters seized large swathes of northern Mali. “This looks like the biggest coordinated attack for years,” said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel programme at Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Mali has been grappling with jihadi insurgency for over a decade, battling West African affiliates of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. It also has a much longer history of Tuareg-led rebellion in the north. Military seized power after coups in 2020 and 2021, vowing to restore security.

Explosions, gunfire rock Mali’s capital, other cities as armed groups launch coordinated attacks

Russian President Vladimir Putin and the head of Mali's junta, Colonel Assimi Goita, discussed security and economic relations between their two countries, both sides reported on Wednesday.

During the phone talks, "at the initiative of the Malian side", the two leaders paid "particular attention" to trade and economic relations, including the delivery of cereals, fertilisers and fuel from Russia to Mali, the Kremlin said in a press release.

Colonel Goita thanked Putin "for the humanitarian aid provided, as well as for the help given to ensure security, neutralise the terrorist threat and stabilise the situation" in his country, the Kremlin added.

The landlocked Sahel state has been battling a security crisis since jihadist and separatist insurgencies broke out in the north in 2012.

It has since August 2020 been ruled by a military junta, which broke a long-standing alliance with France and other Western partners in the fight against jihadism and turned to Russia for political and military assistance.

Mali received shipments of Russian military supplies in March and August 2022, and again in January 2023.

In March, the Malian army received several aircraft from Russia.

"Very satisfied with my telephone conversation" with Putin, Goita said on Twitter.

"We had direct and sincere exchanges on subjects of common interest and on our desire to strengthen our diplomatic, economic and security relations", he added.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and the head of Mali's junta, Colonel Assimi Goita, discussed security and economic relations between their two countries, both sides reported on Wednesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and the head of Mali's junta, Colonel Assimi Goita, discussed security and economic relations between their two countries, both sides reported on Wednesday. During the phone talks, "at the initiative of the Malian side", the two leaders paid "particular attention" to trade and economic relations, including the delivery of cereals, fertilisers and fuel from Russia to Mali, the Kremlin said in a press release. Colonel Goita thanked Putin "for the humanitarian aid provided, as well as for the help given to ensure security, neutralise the terrorist threat and stabilise the situation" in his country, the Kremlin added. The landlocked Sahel state has been battling a security crisis since jihadist and separatist insurgencies broke out in the north in 2012. It has since August 2020 been ruled by a military junta, which broke a long-standing alliance with France and other Western partners in the fight against jihadism and turned to Russia for political and military assistance. Mali received shipments of Russian military supplies in March and August 2022, and again in January 2023. In March, the Malian army received several aircraft from Russia. "Very satisfied with my telephone conversation" with Putin, Goita said on Twitter. "We had direct and sincere exchanges on subjects of common interest and on our desire to strengthen our diplomatic, economic and security relations", he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Mali junta leader discusses security, economy with Putin

A man accused of attempting to stab Mali's interim President Assimi Goita last week has died in hospital while in the custody of security services, the government said in a statement on Sunday. 
 
Goita, a special forces colonel who orchestrated two coups in the last year, escaped unharmed after the assailant tried to stab him during prayers at a mosque in the capital Bamako on Tuesday. 
 
Security agents threw a man into the back of a military pickup truck, video obtained by Reuters showed, as Goita was ringed by bodyguards. 
 
"During the investigations ... his state of health deteriorated," the statement said. He was taken to hospital, where he died, it said. 
 
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of death. 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-whats-happening-in-mali-right-now-387269" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-whats-happening-in-mali-right-now-387269&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjMvpCs-_HxAhVMxzgGHRfdC9AQFjACegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1nhaEZssg7u5b1xjLIfoEb" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-whats-happening-in-mali-right-now-387269" target="_blank">Explainer | What's happening in&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;right now?</a> 
 
Mali, the theatre of French-supported operations against al Qaeda and Islamic State-linked insurgents for a decade, was thrown into political turmoil after a military junta led by Goita toppled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020. 
 
Goita served as vice-president to transitional leader Bah Ndaw until the latter`s ouster in May.

A man accused of attempting to stab Mali's interim President Assimi Goita last week has died in hospital while in the custody of security services, the government said in a statement on Sunday.

A man accused of attempting to stab Mali's interim President Assimi Goita last week has died in hospital while in the custody of security services, the government said in a statement on Sunday. Goita, a special forces colonel who orchestrated two coups in the last year, escaped unharmed after the assailant tried to stab him during prayers at a mosque in the capital Bamako on Tuesday. Security agents threw a man into the back of a military pickup truck, video obtained by Reuters showed, as Goita was ringed by bodyguards. "During the investigations ... his state of health deteriorated," the statement said. He was taken to hospital, where he died, it said. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of death. Also read | Explainer | What's happening in Mali right now? Mali, the theatre of French-supported operations against al Qaeda and Islamic State-linked insurgents for a decade, was thrown into political turmoil after a military junta led by Goita toppled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020. Goita served as vice-president to transitional leader Bah Ndaw until the latter`s ouster in May.

Man accused of attempted assassination of Mali president dies in custody

Mali’s interim leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, has assured that he is well after he survived an assassination attempt on Tuesday.

Goita was offering prayers at the Grand Mosque in the capital city, Bamako, on the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha. After his prayers ended, he was attacked by two assailants, one of whom was wielding a knife.

He was quickly rushed away from the scene of the crime by his security team. While an AFP journalist reported seeing blood on the scene, it is still not clear who was injured.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-chinese-two-mauritanians-kidnapped-in-mali-398760" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/three-chinese-two-mauritanians-kidnapped-in-mali-398760&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjMvpCs-_HxAhVMxzgGHRfdC9AQFjAAegQICRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3AJXKD6iG5vIrvTYCUt658" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-chinese-two-mauritanians-kidnapped-in-mali-398760" target="_blank">Three Chinese, two Mauritanians kidnapped in&nbsp;Mali</a>

However, the interim leader has claimed that he doing very well. "That's part of being a leader, there are always malcontents," Goita said. "There are people who at any time may want to try things to cause instability."

The President’s office also issued a statement saying that Goita is "safe and sound"&nbsp;after surviving the assassination attempt.

"Attempted stabbing attack against the President of the Transition, Colonel Assimi GOITA at the great mosque of Bamako. The attacker was immediately subdued by close security," President's office tweeted. "Investigations are ongoing."

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-whats-happening-in-mali-right-now-387269" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-whats-happening-in-mali-right-now-387269&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjMvpCs-_HxAhVMxzgGHRfdC9AQFjACegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1nhaEZssg7u5b1xjLIfoEb" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-whats-happening-in-mali-right-now-387269" target="_blank">Explainer | What's happening in&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;right now?</a>

Religious Affairs Minister Mamadou Kone has also confirmed that a man "tried to kill the president with a knife"&nbsp;but was caught by the police officers. Mosque director, Latus Toure, has claimed that while the attack was directed towards the President, it was someone else who was injured.

A police officer has revealed, on condition of anonymity, that the officials have nabbed two people in connection to the arrest. However, the President and Prime Minister referred to only one attacker in their statements.

Mali’s interim leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, has assured that he is well after he survived an assassination attempt on Tuesday. Goita was offering prayers at the Grand Mosque in the capital city, Bamako, on the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha.

Mali’s interim leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, has assured that he is well after he survived an assassination attempt on Tuesday. Goita was offering prayers at the Grand Mosque in the capital city, Bamako, on the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha. After his prayers ended, he was attacked by two assailants, one of whom was wielding a knife. He was quickly rushed away from the scene of the crime by his security team. While an AFP journalist reported seeing blood on the scene, it is still not clear who was injured. Also read | Three Chinese, two Mauritanians kidnapped in Mali However, the interim leader has claimed that he doing very well. "That's part of being a leader, there are always malcontents," Goita said. "There are people who at any time may want to try things to cause instability." The President’s office also issued a statement saying that Goita is "safe and sound" after surviving the assassination attempt. "Attempted stabbing attack against the President of the Transition, Colonel Assimi GOITA at the great mosque of Bamako. The attacker was immediately subdued by close security," President's office tweeted. "Investigations are ongoing." Also read | Explainer | What's happening in Mali right now? Religious Affairs Minister Mamadou Kone has also confirmed that a man "tried to kill the president with a knife" but was caught by the police officers. Mosque director, Latus Toure, has claimed that while the attack was directed towards the President, it was someone else who was injured. A police officer has revealed, on condition of anonymity, that the officials have nabbed two people in connection to the arrest. However, the President and Prime Minister referred to only one attacker in their statements.

'Doing very well': Mali's interim leader survives assassination attempt

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Mali Junta Chief Assimi Goita To Double As Defence Minister

Explosions, gunfire rock Mali’s capital, other cities amid coordinated attacks

Mali junta leader discusses security, economy with Putin

Man accused of attempted assassination of Mali president dies in custody

'Doing very well': Mali's interim leader survives assassination attempt