Accra, April 27, GNA – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the terrorist attacks that occurred on Saturday, April 25, at several localities in the Republic of Mali.
In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, ECOWAS extended condolences to the families of the victims and called on member states to unite and help combat terrorism.
“These heinous acts demonstrate once again the barbaric nature of the perpetrators who continue to threaten peace, security, and stability in the West African sub-region as a whole.”
“ECOWAS calls on all states, security forces, regional mechanisms and populations of West Africa to unite and mobilise in a coordinated effort to combat this scourge,” it said, expressing solidarity with the people of Mali.
Reports on Sunday said Mali’s defence minister, Sadio Camara, was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence near the capital Bamako.
The attack, said to have been launched by militants affiliated to al-Qaeda in Kati, reportedly killed at least three of Camara’s family members.
On Saturday, explosions and sustained gunfire were reported in Mali’s capital, Bamako, as armed groups launched co-ordinated attacks across the country into Sunday.
Mali’s military said efforts to repel the attacks were under way, and some militants had already fled.
Fighting was reported around Kati, home to a major military base outside the capital, as well as in Gao, and the central cities of Sevare and Mopti.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe