The man accused of trying to kill Mali’s interim President, Assimi Goita has died in custody.

The suspect whose identity has not been revealed was taken into custody following the assassination attempt at Bamako’s Grand Mosque on Tuesday, July 21, 2021.

Goita was whisked away by his security officials and later appeared on state TV to say he was doing “very well”.

But his attacker, a young-looking man dressed in jeans and a white shirt, was taken away by the Malian intelligence services.

According to reports, the deceased suspect was a teacher.

Reacting to the death of the suspect, the government said in a statement on Sunday, July 25, 2021, “During investigations … his health deteriorated and he was then hospitalised but unfortunately, he has died."

The government added that the suspect’s death was not an obstacle to continuing the investigation, “especially since preliminary evidence and intelligence gathered indicate that he was not an isolated element”.

Goita is currently assuming Mali's presidency for a transitional period of 18 months, after an agreement between the Malian coup leaders and the West African states regional bloc (ECOWAS).

Watch the videos below:

A man accused of attempting to stab Mali's interim President Colonel Assimi Goita has died while in the custody of security services, according to the government https://t.co/QQzwwEXbPa pic.twitter.com/0ykGx5UHED

— Reuters (@Reuters) July 26, 2021

Failed assassination of the interim president of Mali during Eid prayers. And how did the assassin fuck it up? He brought a ???? but due to panic, he used the wrong end of the knife. And that is why you don't go cheap when it comes to hiring an assassin. ???? pic.twitter.com/Dtsb2rWDRE

— Weird Confessions Uganda (@UG_confesses) July 25, 2021