Mali's junta leader takes over defense ministry after minister killed in attacks

Mali's state television reported on Monday that junta leader Assimi Goita will also serve as defense minister, formalizing a leadership shift in the country's security apparatus after the killing of Gen. Sadio Camara in last month's coordinated attacks.

The decree was read on public broadcaster ORTM and quickly reported by multiple international outlets, including AP, Reuters, Al Jazeera and Africanews. It names Gen. Oumar Diarra as deputy defense minister, or minister delegate for defense.

Camara, who had served as defense minister, was killed on April 25 in attacks that hit sites in and around Bamako and Kati. The assaults were among the most serious security incidents in Mali in recent months.

The attacks were reported to involve militants linked to al Qaeda and Tuareg separatists. The government has not yet publicly outlined whether the command change is part of a wider reshuffle.

The move keeps Goita, already the country's junta leader, at the center of Mali's security response as authorities try to contain the fallout from the attacks and reassert control over the defense apparatus.