Assimi Goita, the leader of Mali's military government and the country's president, has taken over as defense minister. This move follows coordinated attacks on April 25 carried out by Tuareg separatists and al Qaeda-linked militants.
The former defense minister, Sadio Camara, who was instrumental in forging stronger ties with Russia, was killed when a suicide attacker drove a car laden with explosives into his residence. These sweeping attacks stunned the country and triggered fighting across Mali's vast desert north, raising the prospect of significant gains by armed groups.
In a strategic decision made within a sensitive security context, General Oumar Diarra, the army chief of staff, will serve as minister delegate for defense. Malian authorities are currently investigating soldiers suspected of involvement in the attacks.