Sidebar

Exclusive Reports

28
Thu, Mar

Mali Coup : President Ibrahim Keïta Tenders Resignation

Africa News
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta has announced his resignation from office after his arrest on Tuesday by mutinying soldiers in the capital Bamako. President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and his Prime minister Boubou Cissé were being held at a military camp near the capital, Bamako. Mr Keïta upon resignation stated that he does not wish blood to be shed following the military mutiny and will, therefore give up on duty from now on.

"Today, certain parts of the military have decided that intervention was necessary. Do I really have a choice? Because I do not wish blood to be shed". The president noted that he has decided "to give up my duty from now on."

ECOWAS and its member countries, former colonial power France, the European Union and the African Union has denounced the actions of the soldiers and warned against any unconstitutional change of power, however, it is unclear if the military is now officially in charge of the country pending a statement from them.

The events came amid a weeks-long political crisis that has seen opposition protesters taking to the streets to demand the departure of Keita, accusing him of allowing the country's economy to collapse and mishandling a worsening security situation. Mali's years-long conflict, in which ideologically-motivated armed groups have stoked ethnic tensions while jockeying for power, has spilt into the neighbouring countries of Niger and Burkina Faso, destabilising the wider Sahel region and creating a massive humanitarian crisis.

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS