Malian military leader, Assimi Goïta has said the situation in Mali is “under control” following a series of coordinated attacks that shook the country and triggered fears of an attempted coup.
In his first public remarks after the violence, Goïta pledged that security forces would continue operations to deal with those behind the attacks, describing them as a serious but contained threat. He said:
“Women and men of Mali, my dear compatriots. I’m addressing you at this extremely serious moment our country is facing. As I speak, security measures have been stepped up, the situation is under control, and search-and-clear operations, intelligence gathering and security operations are continuing. No violence, no intimidation and no desperate attempts at destabilization will be able to reverse the course of our country. The rebuilding will continue and our sovereignty will be strengthened. Our people standing tall and resilient as ever will emerge from this ordeal.“
The attacks, which took place on Saturday, targeted key military positions and areas near the capital, Bamako, in what officials and allies described as a coordinated offensive involving armed groups.
Among those killed was Mali’s Defence Minister, Sadio Camara, a central figure in the country’s military government.
Government sources say Camara was killed after attackers struck his residence near the Kati military base, with reports indicating the assault involved explosives.
His death is being seen as a major blow to Mali’s leadership, as he played a key role in previous coups and in shaping the country’s current military administration.
The weekend violence involved jihadist fighters and separatist groups who launched attacks across multiple cities, marking one of the most coordinated offensives in recent years.
Some international actors, including Russia whom the government of Mali is siding with, described the attacks as an attempted coup, saying allied forces helped prevent a wider collapse of government control.
Despite Goïta’s assurances, the attacks have exposed ongoing security challenges in Mali, where armed groups have been active for more than a decade.
The situation remains fluid, with recovery efforts, military operations, and political responses still unfolding across the country.
