The United Nations voiced grave concern over reports of extrajudicial killings by Mali's security forces following coordinated assaults on April 25-26 by Tuareg separatists and Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists, which captured the key northern town of Kidal and resulted in at least 23 deaths, including civilians and children. Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in a car bomb, leading junta leader Assimi Goïta to assume the defence minister role via a decree on public broadcaster ORTM. UN human rights spokesman Seif Magango highlighted worsening rights abuses, including abductions like that of lawyer Mountaga Tall, and called for comprehensive investigations and humanitarian access. UN rights chief Volker Turk urged an immediate end to fighting and protection of civilians amid blockades and hunger.