Mali Opposition Commends Coup Plotters, Promises Support

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Obiajulu Joel Nwolu

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The opposition coalition in Mali, M5-REP has lent its support to the mutinying solders that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and commended their willingness to handover to a civilian transitional government.

It said in a statement that “it took note of the commitment” the junta has made to “open a civilian political transition” and would work with it on “developing a roadmap.”

Representative of the coalition, Choguel Maiga told reporters, “we will organise the biggest patriotic rally on Friday” in Bamako and nationwide in order to “celebrate the Malian people’s victory”.

On Wednesday, Army colonel Assimi Goita presented himself as the leader of the coup plotters a day after a coup that was condemned by the Mali’s regional and international partners but won the backing of the country’s opposition.

In separate statements, the African Union, European Union, the United States and the UN Secretary Council have all demanded the junta free President Ibrahim Boubacar, Prime Minister Boubou Cisse and others taken captive in Tuesday’s coup that followed months of protests.

Goita had disclosed after meeting top civil servants that he was the leader of the “National Committee for the Salvation of the People” that has seized power.

“Mali is in a situation of socio-political crisis. There is no more room for mistakes,” Goita, surrounded by armed military men, told journalists.

Sources disclosed to AFP that Goita, who is in his forties, had until now headed Mali’s special forces based in the centre of the west African country, torn for the last five years by jihadist and sectarian violence.

Several military men told AFP on condition of anonymity that Goita was the true force behind the coup.

Fellow coup chiefs meanwhile called on the public to return to normal life, warned against acts of “vandalism” and threatened to punish any soldier found guilty of extortion.

Source: Punch