Mali declares national mourning after defence minister killed in deadly terrorist attack
Mali’s government has announced two days of national mourning following the death of Defence Minister Sadio Camara, who was killed after an attack on his residence.
Government spokesperson Brigadier General Issa Ousmane Coulibaly said in Bamako on Sunday that the mourning period would begin at midnight on Monday, April 27, across the country.
"From Monday, April 27 at midnight, is declared throughout the entire national territory in tribute to General Sadio Camara... flags shall be flown at half-mast on all public buildings and edifices throughout the duration of the mourning period," Coulibaly said.
He explained that the incident occurred on the morning of April 25, 2026, when a vehicle carrying explosives targeted the minister’s residence.
"Following the cowardly terrorist incidents that took place on the morning of April 25, 2026, a booby-trapped vehicle driven by a suicide bomber targeted the residence of the Minister [...] He was wounded and then transported to the hospital, where he unfortunately succumbed," he added.
The attack led to the collapse of Camara’s residence in Kati. Several people were killed, and a nearby mosque was also destroyed, with additional fatalities reported.
Authorities confirmed that Camara will receive a state funeral, following a decision by Mali’s transitional leader, Assimi Goita.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
