The United Nations mission in Mali has called for the immediate release of President Bah Ndaw and PM Moctar Ouane after they were held captive by soldiers in Mali.
President Ndaw and Mr Ouane were reportedly driven by soldiers yesterday to the Kati military camp near the capital, Bamako.
The two officials’ detention came few hours after a government reshuffle that left out two soldiers who led the coup in August 2020.
The action raised fears of a second coup in the country.
The United Nations and African Union in a combined declaration have condemned the detention and demanded “immediate and unconditional release” of Mali’s national leadership.
They added that the international community rejects in advance any act of intimidation, inclusive of involuntary resignations.
The US, France, Germany, UK and the African bloc ECOWAS also signed the declaration.
According to the statement, a delegation from ECOWAS would visit Bamako today.
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres took to Twitter to call for calm and release of the leaders.
“I am deeply concerned by news of detention of civilian leaders of the Malian transition. I call for calm and their unconditional release.”
By Everlyne Bosibori
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