Mali's military leader Assimi Goita assumes defence minister role after previous minister killed in rebel attacks

Mali's military leader Gen Assimi Goita took on the role of defence minister on Monday following the death of Sadio Camara, who was killed in a car bomb attack during coordinated assaults by al-Qaeda-linked jihadists and Tuareg separatist rebels over a week ago. The attacks, the largest in nearly 15 years, resulted in the loss of the key northern town of Kidal and killed at least 23 people. Goita will retain his position as president while taking the defence post, with army chief of staff Gen Oumar Diarra appointed as minister delegate.