Mali: Why did soldiers coup in West African country?

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After the coup in the West African country of Mali, the army has said that new elections will be held soon and in the meantime a government will be formed temporarily.

The spokesman of the soldiers who led the coup says that they did this to save the country from going through a period of chaos.

Mali President Ibrahim Bubakar Keta resigned on Tuesday night and said he did not want to shed blood to stay in power.

The rebellion has been condemned by the African Union, regional leaders and the United Nations. The African Union has also suspended Mali membership.

Mali, spread over the Sahara Desert, is one of the world’s poorest countries. Many times there has been a military revolt. Even now Mali is struggling to stop jihadi attacks and ethnic violence.

The soldiers, who call themselves the National Committee for the Salvation of the People, have said that they do not want to remain in power.

Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Colonel Ismail Weg said that they want stability in the country so that the country holds general elections and within a reasonable time frame strong institutions in Mali.

What did keta say

On Tuesday night, President Keta resigned after a short address on government television.

He said- If some people of our army want this to end with their intervention, do I have any option?

President Keta said that no one hates anyone in his mind, may God protect us.

Keta won the election for the second time in the year 2018. But from June this year, he was facing big protests on corruption charges. At the same time, they were also being accused of mismanagement of economy and elections.

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There was also resentment in the army over conflict with jihadis and salary.

What do the soldiers say

A statement was issued by the soldiers on Wednesday morning. In this statement, it has been said that on behalf of the common people and the political social movement, they were asked to work together to create a better environment for the country so that elections can be held on time and paving the way for the formation of a new gardener.

The army has said that the ground and air border of the country is currently closed till further orders and curfew has been imposed from 9 am to 5 pm.

Colonel Veg said that the country was going towards chaos.

Events that led to rebellion

2018: President Keta elected for a second term

2019: Prime Minister Maga and his government resign due to escalating ethnic violence

March 2020: Kidnapping of opposition leader Saumaila Siseh during campaigning before parliamentary elections

April 30, 2020: Constitutional court cancels some results of parliamentary election after allegations of fraud

May 2020: Opposition coalition led by popular Imam Mahmood Diko calls for President Keta’s resignation

June 2020: Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) calls for formation of government of national unity agreement

10 July 2020: At least 10 people killed in clash between opposition supporters and security forces

August 18, 2020: Rebels against the President led by soldiers

What do we know about the rebellion

It is not yet clear how the rebellion started in Mali and how many soldiers took part in it and who will lead it now.

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According to BBC correspondent Abdul Ba at BAMCO, it seems that it has been led by Colonel Malik Diaw and he has also been supported by General Sadio Kamara.

It is believed that after capturing the Kati camp, 15 km from Bamco, the rebels rushed to the capital, where a crowd of protesters welcomed them.

These protesters were demanding the resignation of President Keta.

On Tuesday afternoon, the rebels stormed the president’s residence and arrested both him and his prime minister.

There are reports that along with President Keta’s son and speaker of the National Assembly, the Foreign Minister and Finance Minister were also taken into custody. Many officers were also arrested.

As soon as the rebellion came to light, the United Nations and the African Union demanded the release of the detained leaders.

The regional organization Ecowas said 15 of its member countries agreed to close their borders with Mali. In recent days, the organization also tried to reach a compromise between the government of Keta and the opposition.

The UN Security Council is also meeting on Wednesday on the situation of Mali.

Mali was formerly a colony of France. France has also criticized this revolt and said that the soldiers should return to their barracks.

However, a member of Mali’s opposition movement M5 has welcomed the President’s resignation.

Professor Ramata Sisoko Sise told the BBC World Service, “I think it is a relief for the people of Mali. The president has finally resigned and handed over power to the people.”

The M5 is headed by Imam Mahmood Dicko.

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What is the importance of gardener

Northern Mali is home to many extremist groups. Some of these are believed to be related to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State Group. These extremist organizations are spread to the neighboring countries of Nezere, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mauritania.

Along with the French Army, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force is also in Mali and they are trying to deal with these extremists. There are 10,000 soldiers in the United Nations peacekeeping force in Mali.

The French military intervened for the first time in 2013, when Islamist and separatist Toreg fighters took control of northern Mali.

Experts feel that a new phase of instability will come in the country and it will have an impact in the whole of West Africa.

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