Mali's interim president, Col Assimi Goita, in blue, during Eid Al Adha prayers before he was attacked by armed men. AFP
Mali's interim president, Col Assimi Goita, in blue, during Eid Al Adha prayers before he was attacked by armed men. AFP
Mali's interim president, Col Assimi Goita, in blue, during Eid Al Adha prayers before he was attacked by armed men. AFP
Mali's interim president, Col Assimi Goita, in blue, during Eid Al Adha prayers before he was attacked by armed men. AFP

Mali leader 'safe' after assassination attempt


  • English
  • Arabic

Mali's interim president, Col Assimi Goita, is "safe and sound", his office said, after an assassination attempt by two men, one wielding a knife, during prayers at a mosque in Bamako on Tuesday.

Col Goita described that attack as an "isolated incident".

An AFP journalist who witnessed the incident said the assailants lunged at Col Goita, who was quickly whisked away by security.

The journalist also said he saw blood at the scene, though it was not clear who had been wounded.

An official in the president's office later said Col Goita was safe, after what was labelled an assassination attempt.

Security personnel escort an alleged attacker from the Grand Mosque in Bamako after two assailants attempted to stab Mali's interim president, Col Assimi Goita.
Security personnel escort an alleged attacker from the Grand Mosque in Bamako after two assailants attempted to stab Mali's interim president, Col Assimi Goita.

Col Goita arrived at the military camp of Kati, outside the capital, "where security has been reinforced", the official added.

Security subdued one attacker, and "investigations are ongoing", the presidency said in a statement.

The incident occurred after prayers for Eid Al Adha in the Grand Mosque of Bamako.

The assailants went for the president as an imam was directing worshippers outside the mosque for a ritual animal sacrifice.

Religious Affairs Minister Mamadou Kone, who was at the mosque, told AFP that a man had "tried to kill the president with a knife" but was apprehended.

The mosque's director, Latus Toure, said an attacker lunged at the president but wounded someone else.

Later, a security official who requested anonymity said that two people had been arrested and were now in detention.

The shocking attack follows months of political turmoil in Mali, which is also battling an extremist insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and driven hundreds of thousands from their homes.

Col Goita was sworn into power in June, after leading the country's second coup in less than a year.

The colonel had already led a putsch last August, when he and other army officers ousted elected president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita after weeks of mass protests over corruption and the long-running conflict.

The second coup in nine months sparked diplomatic uproar, prompting the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States to suspend Mali, calling for the appointment of a civilian prime minister.

France, which has thousands of troops stationed in the war-torn country, suspended military co-operation with Mali.

The former colonial power said it would wind down its 5,100-strong Barkhane force that has battled extremists in the Sahel since 2013.

The junta handed power to a civilian-led transitional government, which promised to restore civilian rule in February next year.

In June it unveiled its new government, appointing military figures to vital roles.

Col Goita vowed at the time that the government would "uphold all its commitments", pledging to stage "credible, fair and transparent elections".

A large majority of the UN Security Council later called for free and fair elections to go ahead in the country without the participation of its current leaders.

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Match info

Uefa Champions League Group H

Juventus v Valencia, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Updated: July 20, 2021, 2:05 PM`