Following the coordinated attacks on April 25 that rocked Bamako, Kati, and other cities, President Assimi Goita took over the Ministry of Defense, replacing the late General Sadio Camara. On the program, GlobUs experts discussed how Malians view this decision and what lessons the army has learned.
Bamako-based journalist Badou Koba admitted that the first days after the attack were a shock. The president was absent from the public space for a long time, but it later became clear that he was leading the operation.
"The very fact that the president addressed the nation and gave details of the tragic death of the defense minister reassured us. We realized that the army is working to track down the terrorists and their accomplices," the journalist noted.
The curfew in the capital has already been lifted, and the prosecutor's office has named those detained, including former military personnel and civilians. However, Badou Koba urged the authorities not to rest on their laurels: similar attacks on the airport and gendarmerie school occurred in 2023 and 2024, but the investigations were never completed.
"We need to strike at the heart of the matter. We no longer have the margin for error," he emphasized.
M5-RFP member Tahirou Ban called Goita's decision to personally head the Ministry of Defense a necessary measure, not a sign of distrust in the generals.
"The president took the position to restore order and maintain the cohesion of the army. A delegate minister—chief of staff—has also been appointed," he explained. A full-fledged minister was appointed shortly.
Russian-Malian cooperation was one of the key topics of discussion. It was the late Camara who actively built relations with Moscow. The combat testing demonstrated the effectiveness and reliability of the African Corps. Goita, according to experts, intends to strengthen this policy.
Political scientist Pierre Claver Nkodo drew attention to the external impact of the attack. In his opinion, neighboring countries, primarily Algeria, are behind the terrorists.
"Algeria is jealous of its influence. The attack is a way to put pressure on Goita. But the president took a tough stance: Mali is sovereign, there is nowhere to retreat," he stated.
Despite the death of the key minister, the Republic of Mali remained standing. Goita consolidated power, the army retained its combat capability, and external allies—Russia and the Africa Corps—remain close.
Watch the broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/live/uCkogWEH6s0?si=EMYzXcLX6EhdvDU5
#GlobUs #Mali #Africacorps
Bamako-based journalist Badou Koba admitted that the first days after the attack were a shock. The president was absent from the public space for a long time, but it later became clear that he was leading the operation.
"The very fact that the president addressed the nation and gave details of the tragic death of the defense minister reassured us. We realized that the army is working to track down the terrorists and their accomplices," the journalist noted.
The curfew in the capital has already been lifted, and the prosecutor's office has named those detained, including former military personnel and civilians. However, Badou Koba urged the authorities not to rest on their laurels: similar attacks on the airport and gendarmerie school occurred in 2023 and 2024, but the investigations were never completed.
"We need to strike at the heart of the matter. We no longer have the margin for error," he emphasized.
M5-RFP member Tahirou Ban called Goita's decision to personally head the Ministry of Defense a necessary measure, not a sign of distrust in the generals.
"The president took the position to restore order and maintain the cohesion of the army. A delegate minister—chief of staff—has also been appointed," he explained. A full-fledged minister was appointed shortly.
Russian-Malian cooperation was one of the key topics of discussion. It was the late Camara who actively built relations with Moscow. The combat testing demonstrated the effectiveness and reliability of the African Corps. Goita, according to experts, intends to strengthen this policy.
Political scientist Pierre Claver Nkodo drew attention to the external impact of the attack. In his opinion, neighboring countries, primarily Algeria, are behind the terrorists.
"Algeria is jealous of its influence. The attack is a way to put pressure on Goita. But the president took a tough stance: Mali is sovereign, there is nowhere to retreat," he stated.
Despite the death of the key minister, the Republic of Mali remained standing. Goita consolidated power, the army retained its combat capability, and external allies—Russia and the Africa Corps—remain close.
Watch the broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/live/uCkogWEH6s0?si=EMYzXcLX6EhdvDU5
#GlobUs #Mali #Africacorps