- news
- World news
- Africa
Mali president announces resignation following military coup: "Do not want blood to be shed"
President Kita announced the dissolution of the government after he was arrested by rebel forces at his home in the capital, Mako, as part of a military coup taking place in the country. In a short broadcast on state television, he appeared troubled and made it clear that the resignation would take effect immediately
Tags- Mali
- Ibrahim Bovkar Kita
News agencies
Wednesday, 19 August 2020, 03:52- Share on Facebook
- Share on WhatsApp
- Share on general
- Share on general
- Share on Twitter
- Share on Email
Mali President Ibrahim Bovkar Kita announced tonight (Wednesday) his resignation and the dissolution of the government, several hours after rebel forces fired into the air outside his home and arrested him. The rebels are trying to carry out a military coup in the country, after more than two months of repeated protests calling for the end of the president's term, three years before the planned date.
The president wore a mask and looked upset when he announced the move on state television. "I do not want blood to be shed so that I can remain in power," he said. Kita made it clear that the resignation would take effect immediately, while at the bottom of the television screen it was written that he was the "outgoing president". Kita, who was democratically elected president, had little choice left after rebel soldiers confiscated weapons from Katy base, and advanced toward the capital in Mako - where he and the prime minister were arrested.
More on Walla! NEWS
Military coup in Mali: Rebels arrested president and senior government officials
To the full article
"I don't want blood to be shed so I can stay in power." Kita (Photo: Reuters)News of the president's arrest at his residence in the southwest of the capital came after hours of uncertainty that began after an uprising at the base on the outskirts of the capital. A number of senior government and military officials were also arrested. The official television went off the air after the wave of arrests, then went back on the air and aired pre-recorded programs. Documentation from the French news agency shows a building of the Interior Ministry in the capital on fire.
The coalition of opposition organizations M5-RFP, which has led the huge demonstrations against President Kita since June in protest of the security situation and corruption, signaled its support for the rebel operation. "This is not a military coup, but a popular uprising," a spokesman told Reuters. Yesterday, hundreds of opponents of the government took to a central square in the capital to celebrate the president's arrest and called for the time to retire. According to the UN and human rights activists, at least 14 people were killed in protests since June.
During the night he declared Gush West African States (ECOWAS) that the member countries will close their borders shared with Mali. In addition, announced that all transfers of funds between countries will be arrested, And my left will be suspended from membership in decision-making institutions.
- Share on Facebook
- Share on WhatsApp
- Share on general
- Share on general
- Share on Twitter
- Share on Email