Mali military junta announces vague transition programme
chuks oti
Aug 19, 2020
The junta who ousted Mali's elected president and government in a military coup promised on Wednesday to restore stability and oversee a transition to elections within a "reasonableÔÇØ time.
READ ALSO: CoronaVirus: Islamic Way Of Preventing The Spread Of The Virus
At gunpoint, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita resigned and dissolved parliament late on Tuesday hours after the mutineers detained him, plunging a country already facing a jihadist insurgency and mass protests deeper into crisis.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Takes Revenge On President Buhari | READ FULL DETAILS
It was still not clear early on Wednesday who was leading the revolt and who will become the head of state.
READ ALSO: How I Survived When Everyone Else DiedÔÇØ - Lone Survivor of Air India Crash Speaks
Several colonels have been mentioned as coup leaders.
READ ALSO: President Trump Unveils $1,000 Investment Account for All Babies Born Between 2025-2028
But a spokesman for the mutineers, calling themselves patriotic forces of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People, said they acted to prevent Mali from falling further into chaos.
READ ALSO: MORE ATTACKS LOOM: Army Gives Detailed Revelation How They Foiled Police Area Command Attack In Orlu
The coup was quickly condemned on Tuesday by Mali's regional and international partners, who fear Keita's fall could further destabilise the country.
READ ALSO: What We Would Do If Buhari Refuses To Sack Monguno- FCT Residents Protesters Reveal
Shares in two gold mining companies operating in the country fell sharply on Wednesday, as they sought to reassure investors that their operations were not affected.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: APC's Okpebholo Clinches Victory in Historic Edo Governorship Election
Mutineers' spokesman Colonel-Major Ismael Wague invited Mali's civil society and political movements to join them to create conditions for a political transition.
READ ALSO: NCC: How To Restrict Unwanted Messages Coming Into Your Phone
Wagu├® was the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force, before the putsch.
READ ALSO: WHY Police Arrested Akon in Georgia Revealed: Full Details Emerge
"Our country is sinking into chaos, anarchy and insecurity mostly due to the fault of the people who are in charge of its destiny,ÔÇØ he said while flanked by soldiers in a statement broadcast on state-owned television.
READ ALSO: Dr. Chima Anyaso Hosts Namibian Governor, Strengthens Africa's Economic Partnerships
"We are not keen on power, but we are keen on the stability of the country, which will allow us to organise general elections to allow Mali to equip itself with strong institutions within the reasonable time limit.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Why Madagascar Soldiers Refused Orders to Shoot Protesters | WATCH VIDEO
Wague also declared that the military junta would respect Mali's international agreements.
READ ALSO: Trump Speaks Out: Why U.S. May Join the Israel-Iran War | READ DETAILS
He also said forces such as Minusma (UN force) or even Barkhane ÔÇØ remain partners for the restoration of stability ".
READ ALSO: CoronaVirus: Islamic Way Of Preventing The Spread Of The Virus
The profile of the soldiers who overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is different from that of the coup leaders of 2012. The leaders of the coup are senior officers unlike those of 2012 where there was a majority of non-commissioned officers and men of the ranks.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Takes Revenge On President Buhari | READ FULL DETAILS
Late on Tuesday, anti-government protesters had poured into a central square in Bamako to cheer the mutineers as they drove through in military vehicles.
READ ALSO: How I Survived When Everyone Else DiedÔÇØ - Lone Survivor of Air India Crash Speaks
The capital was far quieter early on Wednesday, with few civilians on the streets most shops in one residential area still closed amid evidence of overnight looting.
READ ALSO: President Trump Unveils $1,000 Investment Account for All Babies Born Between 2025-2028
Videos circulating on social media showed Malians running unchecked through luxury compounds in the city, including properties identified as belonging to Justice Minister Kassoum Tapo and Keita's son Karim. It was not immediately possible for Reuters to authenticate the footage.
READ ALSO: MORE ATTACKS LOOM: Army Gives Detailed Revelation How They Foiled Police Area Command Attack In Orlu
Landlocked Mali has struggled to regain stability since Tuareg uprising in 2012 which was hijacked by Islamist militants linked to al Qaeda, and a subsequent coup in the capital plunged the country into chaos
READ ALSO: What We Would Do If Buhari Refuses To Sack Monguno- FCT Residents Protesters Reveal
Keita, 75, came to power in 2013 following the Bamako coup promising to bring peace and stability and fight corruption. He won reelection for a second five-year term in 2018.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: APC's Okpebholo Clinches Victory in Historic Edo Governorship Election
On Wednesday, European Union Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton said the bloc would insist on new elections on Mali within a reasonable timeframe, while China said it opposed regime change by force
READ ALSO: NCC: How To Restrict Unwanted Messages Coming Into Your Phone
ECOWAS on Tuesday suspended Mali from its institutions, and closed its member states' borders with Mali.
READ ALSO: WHY Police Arrested Akon in Georgia Revealed: Full Details Emerge
Having previously warned it would no longer tolerate military coups in the region, the bloc plans to send a delegation to Mali to ensure a return to constitutional democracy.
READ ALSO: Dr. Chima Anyaso Hosts Namibian Governor, Strengthens Africa's Economic Partnerships
The U.N. Security Council will be briefed on Mali behind closed-doors on Wednesday at the request of France and Niger, diplomats said.
READ ALSO: Why Madagascar Soldiers Refused Orders to Shoot Protesters | WATCH VIDEO
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had on Tuesday called for the immediate release of Keita and other detainees.
Related Stories
WHY Police Arrested Akon in Georgia Revealed: Full Details Emerge
Dr. Chima Anyaso Hosts Namibian Governor, Strengthens Africa's Economic Partnerships
Why Madagascar Soldiers Refused Orders to Shoot Protesters | WATCH VIDEO
Trump Speaks Out: Why U.S. May Join the Israel-Iran War | READ DETAILS
How I Survived When Everyone Else DiedÔÇØ - Lone Survivor of Air India Crash Speaks
President Trump Unveils $1,000 Investment Account for All Babies Born Between 2025-2028
""
— chuks oti