Sadio Gassama

Sadio Gassama (born 1954), is a Brigadier General in the Malian military.[3] Prior to the 2012 Mali coup d'état, he was the Minister of Internal Security and Civilian Protection and he was reappointed to the cabinet in December, remaining such a minister.[2][4] On 21 March, he attempted to appease the mutinying soldiers at an army base near the capital of Bamako, but failed to win over the troops in his speech, an incident cited by international news sources as sparking the coup.[5]

Sadio Gassama
Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs
In office 2 February 2012 – April 2012
Prime Minister	Cissé Mariam Kaïdama Sidibé
Preceded by	Natie Pleah
Succeeded by	Yamoussa Camara
Minister of Internal Security and Civilian Protection
In office May 2004 – 2012
Prime Minister	Modibo Sidibé
Succeeded by	Tiéfing Konaté
Personal details
Born	1954 (age 66–67) Gory, Yélimané Cercle, Mali[1]
Awards	Officer of the National Order of Mali Cross of Valor (Mali) Commander of the Order of Merit National Order of Togo National Order of the Ivory Coast[2]
Military service
Allegiance	Mali
Branch/service	Mali Army
Years of service	1975-present[1]
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands	Chief of Staff of the Army Chief of Staff of the Guard[1]
Battles/wars	2012 Malian coup d'état

He was met with boos and stones were thrown at his car. He was then sequestered, at which point his guards riposted by firing warning shots in the air.[6] The minister was released thanks to the intervention of the Kati zone commander ("commandant de zone").[6] The soldiers then stormed the weapons and ammunition reserves of the camp.[6] Two soldiers were injured,[7] but the presidency said Gassama was neither injured nor arrested.[8] He briefly served as Defense Minister from February to April 2012.[9][10]

According to Gassama's official biography, his hobbies include athletics and reading. He speaks French, Russian, Soninke, and Bambara.[3]