The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS has suspended Mali over a coup d’etat that happened yesterday.
Rebel troops arrested the President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and the Prime Minister following a month-long crisis in an already fragile economy.
France, the European Union, African Union as well as many other African countries have protested the insurrection and distanced themselves from the development. The groups also warned against any change in government.
A rebel leader who requested anonymity told Agence France Press that “we can tell you that the president and the prime Minister are under our control following their arrest at Keita’s residence.”
Coming down strongly against what it termed a military putsch, ECOWAS suspended Mali from its 15-nation bloc and slammed it with financial sanctions.
The bloc also said it will close land and sea borders to the country and vowed to demand sanctions against “all the putschists and their partners and collaborators.”
There has been tension in Mali since June with strong demands for President Keita to resign. The opposition, June 5 Movement, named after the day of its first protest has increasingly complained about worsening economic conditions, jihadist agenda and government corruption.
At least 11 people were killed within 3 days of unrest following the protests.
ECOWAS had stepped in to mediate in July, requesting for a the formation of a unity government while at the same time backing the president, 75-year old Ibrahim Keita.
Unfortunately, June 5 Movement insists on the outright departure of Keita. On Monday, it declared a new phase of anti-government rallies. Indeed, there is jubilation on the streets of Bamako over the ouster of Keita.
Malian citizens insist on an end to the Fench-backed administration of the president as well as end to the influence of France in the country.
By Wednesday morning, ECOWAS suspended Mali over the coup hatched by the rebel troops.
Reports received this morning from the twitter handle of ISCResearch @ISCResearch read:
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