United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has called for calm and immediate release of the civilian leaders of the Republic of Mali.
President Bah Ndaw, his Prime Minister, Moctar Ouane and Defence Minister Souleymane Doucoure were all taken to a military base in Kati, outside the capital city of Bamako, where they are being held.
This took place on Monday, hours after a cabinet reshuffle, where two members of the military and first coup leaders, Ex-Defence Minister Sadio Camara and Ex-Security Minister Colonel Modibo Kone were replaced.
European Union leaders have also condemned the detention of Mali’s civilian leadership warning of potential sanctions against those responsible.
The European Council’s president, Charles Michel, while speaking to reporters after a summit of the 27 EU leaders, he said: “What happened was grave and serious and we are ready to consider necessary measures.”
Other international organizations including the ECOWAS and AU have also called for their immediate and unconditional release while stating that “the international community rejects in advance any act of coercion, including forced resignations”.
