Wed 19 August 2020:
France, Niger called for meeting after soldiers detain president, prime minister
The UN Security Council will hold a closed-door meeting on Wednesday over the situation in Mali following a coup, upon the call of France and Niger.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also voiced concern over the developments in the African nation.
“France was concerned to learn of the mutiny which began today in Kati, Mali. It utterly condemns this serious incident,” said Le Drian in a statement Tuesday.
Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta resigned after being detained by soldiers on Tuesday. Prime Minister Boubou Cisse was also detained with him.
Tensions erupted in Mali in 2012 following a failed coup and a rebellion by Tuareg separatists that ultimately allowed al-Qaeda-linked militant groups to take over the northern half of the country.
Keita, 75, came to power in 2013 but has been criticized by people who say he has failed to protect them from terrorist attacks mostly in the northern and central part of the country.
Mali, one of the poorest countries in the world, suffers from the presence of several terror groups, despite the French, Malian, and UN peacekeepers who carry out counter-terrorism operations there.
A 2015 peace agreement between the Malian government and Tuareg rebel groups could not be implemented.
By Emre Aytekin | Anadolu Agency
