Mali junta chief to take over killed defence minister’s role

Mali’s junta leader, Assimi Goita, will assume the additional role of defence minister, according to a decree announced on Monday, after the death of the previous minister in large-scale attacks.

Mali is facing a security crisis following an assault on junta strongholds led by Tuareg separatists and al-Qaeda-linked jihadists more than a week ago, during which Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed by a car bomb at his residence.

The…