Mali: fight against terrorism and defense of democracy "are inseparable", says Macron

Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday August 19 that " the fight against terrorist groups and the defense of democracy and the rule of law are inseparable ", about the situation in Mali where the military overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta on Tuesday .

Read also: Coup d'Etat in Mali: France, taken from behind, will be forced to re-examine its strategy

“ To get out of it is to cause instability and weaken our fight. This is not acceptable, ”continued the French president on Twitter, calling for power to be“ returned to civilians ”, that“ the milestones (be) laid for the return to constitutional order ”and that the Malian president and his prime minister are released.

Rebellion

The soldiers who overthrew Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta on Tuesday promised a political transition and general elections within a " reasonable time ". Previously, in a televised statement, President Keïta, arrested a few hours earlier by the military, announced his resignation, the dissolution of the government and that of the National Assembly.

Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that “ France and the European Union are alongside ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and the African Union to find a way out of the Malian crisis. Peace, stability and democracy are our priority ”. “ We are extremely attentive to the safety of our nationals in Mali. I asked the Defense Council this morning to do everything in this direction, ”added the French President.

Earlier, the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, had indicated that “ France had taken note of the announcement of the resignation of the Malian president ” and that it was standing “ as it has always done , alongside the Malian people ”. " It is committed, at the request of this country, by pursuing two priorities: the interest of the Malian people and the fight against terrorism ", continued Jean-Yves Le Drian.