Tag: Mali - Page 2 - African News Today

20Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, Mali, News

ECOWAS Set to Convene Over Mali Coup

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to convene a videoconference meeting on Thursday to discuss the crisis in Mali which led to President Ibrahim Keita’s removal. The regional body has been vocal against the change of government in Mali by Mutinying soldiers. In a statement in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja it said, “The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will hold an extraordinary summit on the socio-political situation in Mali on Thursday.” ECOWAS had been involved at finding a solution to the unrest in the member state prior to Tuesday’s coup. Colonel Assimi Goita, Malian army officer on Wednesday announced himself as the coup leader. Mali’s membership of the African Union (AU) was suspe...

Mali Opposition Commends Coup Plotters, Promises Support

20Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, Mali, News

Mali Opposition Commends Coup Plotters, Promises Support

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 th...

Mutinying Soldiers Arrest Mali’s President and Prime Minister

18Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, Mali, News

Mutinying Soldiers Arrest Mali’s President and Prime Minister

Mutinying solders have reportedly arrested Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse. Clips have surfaced on social media showing a convoy of vehicles surrounded by troops with a statement by a leader of the mutinying soldiers confirming the arrest. "We can tell you that the president and the prime minister are under our control," the leader, who requested anonymity, told AFP. He added that the pair had been "arrested" at Keita's residence in the capital Bamako. Earlier, Cisse urged mutinying soldiers to stand down and called for dialogue to resolve the situation. Reports of the mutiny first emerged after gunfire was heard at an army base outside the capital, Bamako. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in a statement condemne...

23Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Mali, Nigeria

Buhari Embarks on Peace Mission to Mali

President Muhammadu Buhari will embark on a one-day peace keeping visit to Bamako, Republic of Mali on Thursday, after a briefing by ECOWAS Special Envoy to Nigeria, erstwhile President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. This will mark President Buhari’s first travel outside Nigeria since the country recorded its first case of deadly COVID-19 case in March this year. The President is scheduled to meet Chairman of the Authority of Head of State and Government of the sub-regional organisation, President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger Republic who will lead some ECOWAS leaders to Mali in a bid to finding a long-lasting political solution to the crisis in the country. Other Presidents expected to participate in the Bamako meeting are the host President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Presidents Machy ...