Mali defense minister killed; Russia's Africa Corps withdraws from rebel-held town

"Mali's defense minister, Sadio Camara, who had close ties to Russia, was killed in an

insurgent attack on his home near the capital, Bamako, a government spokesperson said April 26, as Russian forces withdrew from a northern town after clashes with rebels.
Camara was killed April 25 when assailants targeted his residence, the spokesperson said on state television the following day. According to Reuters, an affiliate of al Qaeda in West Africa claimed responsibility for the attack.
Camara had connections to Russia and the Wagner Group, the private military company whose Africa operations were later absorbed into the Africa Corps under Russia's defense ministry. The Africa Corps has played a central role in supporting Mali's ruling junta." KI