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· Police vehicles patrolled the streets of Bamako, Mali’s capital yesterday (Tuesday) in a show of strength, which also conveyed the present state of political uncertainty prevailing in the West African nation
· The military spokesperson explained that Goita was obliged to act to preserve the transitional charter and to defend the republic in order t by removing the president and prime minister from their respective offices
· The reason given by the military spokesperson was that the president and prime minister had acted without consulting Goita, which he termed as a violation of the Transitional Charter, thereby justifying the removal of the top political heads
Police vehicles patrolled the streets of Bamako, Mali’s capital yesterday (Tuesday) in a show of strength, which also conveyed the present state of political uncertainty prevailing in the West African nation.
Former coup leader Assimi Goita, earlier on the day dismissed the president and prime minister of the transitional government with a promise to hold new elections next year. As reported by www.trendnafrica.com, the two leaders were arrested by the military following their announcement of a cabinet reshuffle. The reason given by the military spokesperson was that the president and prime minister had acted without consulting Goita, which he termed as a violation of the Transitional Charter, thereby justifying the removal of the top political heads.
The military spokesperson explained that Goita was obliged to act to preserve the transitional charter and to defend the republic by removing the president and prime minister from their respective offices. President Bah N’Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane were taken to the Kati military headquarters along with others yesterday. Kati is about 15 kilometers from the capital.
However, Security Minister Modibo Kone and Defense Minister Sadio Camara are not kept in the garrison since they are supporters of the military Junta. There was a high decibel demand for releasing the president, prime minister and others who were arrested. Among the entities which raised objections against the arrest included the African Union, the U.N. mission in Mali, the West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS and other members of the international community.
Besides, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the arrest and termed it as an “unacceptable coup d’etat” and warned the EU could impose sanctions. The U.N. is spending US$1.2 billion a year for peacekeeping in Mali. Both president and prime minister were sworn in only last September after the ruling military junta agreed to hand over power to a civilian transitional government heeding to the heavy international pressure.
