Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita resigned on Tuesday after he was arrested and detained in a military mutiny.
The military coup has forced him out of power after he refused to do so amid protests for months.
Mali was plunged into a political crisis with a resolution difficult to make as the opposition refused to accept terms offered by the ousted President.
Keita resigned and dissolved parliament late on Tuesday hours after mutinying soldiers detained him at gunpoint.
The military leaders have ordered the closure of all border crossings and imposed a night-time curfew.
Malian Air Force deputy chief of staff, Col-Major Ismaël Wagué said in a televised address that “As of today, 19 August 2020, all air and land borders are closed until further notice.
A curfew is in place from 9pm to 5am [local time] until further notice.”
The African Union has condemned the actions of the military in Mali.
I strongly condemn the forced detention of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of #Mali, the Prime Minister and other members of the Malian govt, and call for their immediate release. My full statement:https://t.co/zvJVuJJbjp
— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) August 18, 2020
He also extended an invitation to opposition groups – which have been calling for reforms – for talks leading to fresh elections.
“Civil society and political social movements are invited to join us to create together the best conditions for a civil political transition leading to credible general elections for the exercise of democracy through a road-map that will lay the foundations for a new Mali,” he said.
Meanwhile a member of Mali’s opposition group, M5 movement – which held
A member of Mali’s opposition group, M5 movement – which held protests against former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta for the last few weeks, has termed his resignation as a “relief”.
Prof Ramata Sissoko Cisse told the BBC World Service from Georgia in the US that Mr Keïta had lost the backing of the people.
“I think it’s a relief for the Malian people and for all the citizens of Mali to finally hear from the president that because of the lack of support of the Malian people he finally accepts to resign, to give back power to the people who originally gave it to him and I think the people of Mali are very relieved today,” he said.
against Keïta Prof Ramata Sissoko Cisse told the BBC, Mr Keïta had lost the backing of the people.
“I think it’s a relief for the Malian people and for all the citizens of Mali to finally hear from the president that because of the lack of support of the Malian people he finally accepts to resign, to give back power to the people who originally gave it to him and I think the people of Mali are very relieved today,” he said.
Source: Africafeeds.com
