Mali: Suspect accused of trying to kill President Assimi Goita dies in custody

Mali government on July 25 said that man accused of trying kill interim President Assimi Goita last week died in hospital while in custody of security services. suspect, whose identity has t been revealed, had been taken into custody following assassination attempt at Bamako’s Grand Mosque on Tuesday. In a statement, government said that during investigation, his (suspect’s) health deteriorated after which he was hospitalised. 

“But unfortunately, he has died,” officials said, furr adding that an autopsy had been immediately ordered to determine cause of death. 

Goita escaped unharmed after assailant tried to stab him during prayers at a mosque in capital Bamako on Tuesday. As per reports, at least two armed men were seen attacking Mali’s interim President before he was rescued from scene. Mali’s Religious Affairs Minister Mamadou Kone has reportedly said that suspect tried to ‘kill’ Goita with a knife but was stopped.

Goita doing “very well” 

Following incident, Goita appeared on state TV and said, “It was an isolated incident that has been brought under control,” adding that he is “fine” and that one has been hurt. He called for national unity in face of challenges. Goita added, “When you are a leader, when you command people, re are some who are discontented. re are people who try to do se kinds of things to destabilize”.

37-year-old Assimi Goita was sworn into office as Mali’s interim President in June despite political backlash over his second power grab in almost nine months. He was leader of country’s military coup and had already declared himself as interim President, just two days after seizing power in Mali’s second coup. Goita was also leader of first coup in country which ousted n elected Mali president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020 following months of anti-government demonstrations in country. 

second coup came in May when Goita was in service as Mali's Vice President in transitional government and was tasked with heading country back to civilian rule in February 2022. He had seized power again after accusing Interim President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctae Ouane of t being successful to consult him about cabinet reshuffle. 

(Im: AP)