Mali's Defence Minister Sadio Camara has been killed in a terrorist attack on his home on Saturday, Al Jazeera was the first to report on Sunday. Citing family sources, AFP news agency also confirmed the minister's death.
Camara's house in Kati, a town located 15 kilometres northwest of Mali's capital Bamako, came under a car bomb attack, which significantly destroyed the residence. AFP reported on Sunday that the minister's second wife and two grandchildren were also killed in the assault.
Camara was taken to hospital in Bamako, but he succumbed to his injuries, according to Al Jazeera, which cited well-placed sources.
On Sunday morning, a heavy contingent of soldiers had been stationed outside the hospital where Camara was receiving treatment, AFP reported. His aides had earlier denied reports that the terrorist attack left him wounded.
Key figure in government
The Malian government was yet to issue a formal statement about Camara's situation by the time of publishing this story.
Sadio Camara's reported death is the highest-ranking state-official casualty in the persistent terrorist attacks in Mali, which, until recently, targeted civilians and military officers.
Camara was a key figure in Mali's government, and enjoyed solid relations with the country's President, Assimi Goita.
Camara had served as Mali's defence minister in two separate stints — first between October 2020 and May 2021, and again, from June 2021 until his reported death on April 26, 2026.
Coordinated attacks
The Mali-and-Russia-trained high-ranking soldier died at the age of 47.
Mali came under coordinated terrorist attacks on Saturday, with several towns, including the capital, targeted by both tourists and separatists.
At least 16 people were killed in the strikes, according to the government. The United Nations, the African Union, and Türkiye condemned the attacks.
On Sunday, there was a relative calm, although fresh fighting was reported in the northern town of Kidal. The armed forces were battling Tuareg separatists there.
