NEWS: President of Mali resigns following military mutiny

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 08:38 am

Mali’s president announced his resignation and the dissolving of parliament early Wednesday after he was arrested by means of mutinying soldiers.

“I desire no blood to be spilled to maintain me in power,” Ibrahim Boubacar Keita said in a quick address broadcast on state television.

Keita additionally expressed be apologetic about for the loss of lives during demonstrations held on July 10-12.

On Tuesday, Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse had been taken to the Kati navy camp located 15 kilometers (9 miles) northwest of the capital Bamako at around 4.30 p.m. local time (1630 GMT), in accordance to Le Journal du Mali.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that gunshots had been heard at the camp, while army vans have been also spotted on the avenue heading towards the capital. The army reportedly blocked the street from the city of Kati to Bamako and groups and offices were additionally closed.

Last month, the head of the African Union Commission urged calm, persevered talk and negotiations for the diligent implementation of consensual solutions to keep peace, stability and social cohesion in Mali.

Tensions erupted in Mali in 2012 following a failed coup and a revolt with the aid of Tuareg separatists that finally allowed al-Qaeda-linked militant groups to take over the northern half of of the country.

(AnadoluAgency)