| Killing of Sadio Camara | |
|---|---|
| Part of 2026 Mali attacks of the Mali War of the Sahel War | |
 Sadio Camara during a speech in August 2022 | |
| Location | Kati, Koulikoro Region, Mali |
| Date | 25 April 2026 (UTC+00:00 GMT) |
| Target | Sadio Camara |
Attack type | Suicide bombing though a car bomb |
| Weapon | Vehicle-borne |
| Victims |
|
| Perpetrators | |
On 25 April 2026, General Sadio Camara, the Minister of Defence of Mali, was killed during the start of the 2026 Mali attacks. [1] [2] [3] [4]
The 2026 Mali attacks started on 25 April, shortly before 5:20, [5] two explosions and heavy gunfire were reported near Kati, the main military base located on the outskirts of Bamako (which houses Malian leader Assimi Goïta). [6]
Sometimes later after the attack on the military base, assailants of JNIM and the FLA [7] [1] [8] targeted his compound. [9] Euro News reported that Sadio Camara fought back and exchanged fire with the assailants. [10] [11] However, one suicide attacker drove a vehicle loaded with explosives directly into the residence of Sadio Camara. [7] [1] [8] Firefights ensued and Sadio Camara survived the explosion and was rushed into a hospital, where he died due to his sustained injuries. [7] [12]
Agence France-Presse reported that three members of the Camara family – the second wife of Sadio and two of his grandchildren – were also killed in the attacks. [8]
By the end of 25 April, Malian forces reportedly retained control of Kati and Bamako, although RFI noted that "the situation could change overnight" in those cities. [13] The status of some soldiers and officials, including Sadio Camara, remained unknown at that time. [13] [14]
The government confirmed his death the next day. Its spokesperson, General Issa Ousmane Coulibaly, announced that Mali would observe two days of mourning in his honor. [15] [7]
The BBC reported that the Camara family also reacted to the killing of Sadio Camara. [1]
Nicolas Haque from Al Jazeera said, following about Sadio Camara, that "He was one of the most influential figures within the ruling military leadership and had been seen by some as a possible future leader of Mali" and that "His death is a major blow to the country’s armed forces". [8]
During the 2026 Mali attacks, Modibo Koné and Army Chief of Staff Oumar Diarra were severely injured after being shot in the chest in fighting at Kati amidst an attack by Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) forces. [16] According to The Guardian , Koné was reportedly killed. [17]
