Mali Leader Breaks Silence, Says Situation Under Control Following Attacks

BAMAKO — Mali’s military leader, Assimi Goita, made his first public appearance on Tuesday since coordinated insurgent attacks over the weekend killed his defense minister and pushed Russian forces out of a strategic northern town.

In a televised address, Goita declared “the situation is under control” and vowed to “neutralize” those responsible.

The assaults on Saturday hit Mali’s main army base and the area near Bamako’s airport. West Africa’s Al‑Qaeda affiliate (JNIM) and a Tuareg‑led separatist group also forced Russian troops to withdraw from Kidal. Defense Minister Sadio Camara was killed.

JNIM has threatened to impose a siege on Bamako, a city of 4 million. Meanwhile, fighters from the Daesh affiliate entered the northeastern town of Menaka on Tuesday, though no clashes were immediately reported.

Russia said insurgents are regrouping after Moscow helped thwart what it described as a coup attempt. Mali turned to Russia for support after expelling French and UN forces following coups in 2020 and 2021.

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