Mali President Kéita and his government resign after mutiny of soldiers

19 Août 2020

Bamako, Mali, August 19 (Infosplusgabon) - Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Kéita announced on Tuesday night that he has resigned following the mutiny of soldiers who arrested him and several members of his government.

Speaking on Mali public television he also announced the resignation of his government and dissolution of Parliament. He said he did not want blood to be spilled because of him.

President Kéita was first elected in 2013 and won his second term in 2018

He was also Prime Minister from 1994 to 2000 and President of the National Assembly from 2002 to 2007.

Tuesday started with gunshots being heard at the Kati military camp, Mali's largest.

Reports said some angry soldiers ransacked the arms depots to show their displeasure with the military hierarchy as shooting continued.

The Prime Minister Boubou Cissé, many ministers, including the recently-appointed Minister of Economy and Finance, Abdoulaye Daffé, were arrested along with several Generals of the Malian army by the anti-terrorist forces.

This development comes at a time when the 5 June Movement - Rally of Patriotic Forces (MP5-RFP) had decided to undertake, from Tuesday awareness marches for young people in the capital, Bamako, sit-ins and other activities, to press their demand the resignation of President Kéita and his government for "bad governance" and "mismanagement" of the security and economic crises that Mali has been experiencing for years.

The mutiny has been condemned by many organisations and countries including the UN, AU, ECOWAS and France which have asked the soldiers to return to barracks and prioritise dialogue.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order and the rule of law.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/OMM/GABON2020

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