The African Union suspends Mali after the military coup

Bamako-Sana

The African Union announced today the suspension of Mali's membership until the restoration of constitutional order, following the military coup in the country.

Reuters quoted the African Union’s Peace and Security Commission as saying that the bloc suspended Mali’s membership in response to the military coup that toppled the president and the government, adding: “The suspension will remain in effect until constitutional order is restored,” calling for the release of President Ibrahim Abu Bakr Keita and other senior officials.

Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita announced at dawn today his resignation from his post and the dissolution of Parliament and the government, hours after an armed movement launched a military coup and arrested the President and Prime Minister Bobo Cisse and a number of ministers and took them to unknown places.