Mali’s interim vice president, Colonel Assimi Goita has said that he seized power after the transitional president and prime minister failed to consult him about the formation of a new government.
“This kind of step testifies to the clear desire of the transitional president and prime minister to seek to breach the transitional charter,” he said on Tuesday, describing the pair’s actions as a “demonstrable intent to sabotage the transition”.
Elections will be held next year as planned, he said.
President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane were arrested and taken to a military base outside the capital on Monday, prompting swift condemnation from international powers, some of which called it an “attempted coup”.
The two men were in charge of a transitional government created after a military coup in August that toppled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. They were tasked with overseeing a return to democratic elections.
Goita, who led the August coup, orchestrated the arrests after two fellow coup leaders were dropped from their government posts in a cabinet reshuffle on Monday.
In a statement read by an aide on national television, Goita said elections next year to restore an elected government would go ahead as planned.
“The vice president of the transition saw himself obligated to act to preserve the transitional charter and defend the republic,” the statement said.
World reacts
There are concerns the situation could worsen instability in the West African country, where armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) control large areas of the north and centre, and stage frequent attacks on the army and civilians.
The United Nations, European Union and regional countries have all condemned the military’s actions and demanded the immediate release of the arrested leaders.
France condemned “violent” act of Goita “with the greatest firmness”.
“We demand the liberation” of the two leaders, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said.
“Their safety must be guaranteed, as must the immediate resumption of the agreed transition process,” Le Drian added.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tweeted a call for calm, and urged the leaders’ “unconditional release”.
African Union head Felix Tshisekedi, who is also the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, echoed the call, saying he “strongly condemned any action that aims to destabilise Mali”.
A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was expected to visit Mali on Tuesday.
Latest Stories
-
3 Central Region MCEs intensify cholera control efforts after 5 deaths
1 min -
Bawumia’s 12 ‘Bold Steps’ to expand educational opportunities for all
2 mins -
Mahama criticises NPP for accumulating energy debt to pass on to next NDC gov’t
3 mins -
Agromonti empowers Techiman farmers with sustainable agriculture training in CSR event
8 mins -
Ghanaians deserve certificates for enduring hardship under NPP – Mahama
9 mins -
AG’s office needs 1,500 public attorneys for proper discharge of functions – Godfred Dame
10 mins -
Court sentences man to life imprisonment for murdering girlfriend; daughter
25 mins -
Bawumia’s $80 bn value claim for Spotify, false – Dubawa
36 mins -
GBA President calls for transparent and fair December election
51 mins -
November 8 not a public holiday – Interior Ministry
53 mins -
Policies the Church can promote to ensure every birth by a congregant is wanted, not unintended
56 mins -
Next NPP government to build new AG offices in all regions – Godfred Dame
1 hour -
Why corporate leadership can no longer be silent on sustainability
1 hour -
The Keeper’s Music unveils Neyty with new single ‘Most High God’
1 hour -
Bawumia outlines 8 initiatives to create 4 million jobs for youth if elected president
2 hours