President of Mali Resigns, Military Commits to Civilian Transition After Take over

Obiajulu Joel Nwolu
  • Orders closure of border, imposes curfew

 

Soldiers who staged a mutiny on Tuesday in Mali prompting the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and his deputy has promised to hand over to a civilian transitional government that will organise elections.

This was disclosed on Wednesday by the spokesperson for the mutineers who identified as the National Committee for the Salvation of the People in a statement aired by state-owned television, saying the mutiny was to prevent the country from falling further into chaos

Committee spokesperson Colonel Ismael Wague urged civil society and political movements in Mali to be a part of the process that will usher in civil transition that will organise elections.

Wague said, “Our country is sinking into chaos, anarchy, and insecurity mostly due to the fault of the people who are in charge of its destiny.”

Former President Keita announced his resignation and dissolution of cabinet on Tuesday after soldiers arrested him, thereby worsening the plight of a country which is already battling jihadist insurgency and mass protests.

Mali’s regional and international partners have spoken against the mutiny, expressing concerns the coup could further destabilise the country and West Africa’s entire Sahel region.

According to an announcement by Malian Air Force deputy chief of staff, Mali’s military leaders have ordered the closure of all border crossings and imposed a night-time curfew,

“As of today, 19 August 2020, all air and land borders are closed until further notice. A curfew is in place from 9 pm to 5 am [local time] until further notice,” Col-Major Ismaël Wagué said in a televised address.

 

Source: CGTN

This post was written by Obiajulu Joel Nwolu.

The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.

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