The military in Mali have detained the President, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the interim government an act that has deepened political chaos in the country.
Its reported that President Bah Ndaw, Prime Minister Moctar Ouane and Defence Minister Souleymane Doucoure were yesterday all taken to a military base in Kati outside the capital Bamako, hours after two members of the military lost their positions in a government reshuffle.
Their detention followed the military ouster in August of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and this new development could exacerbate instability in the West African country where violent Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State control large areas of the desert north.
Political instability and military infighting have complicated efforts by Western powers and neighbouring countries to prop up to the impoverished nation, contributing to regional insecurity.
The United Nations’ mission in Mali called for the group’s immediate and unconditional release and said those who hold the leaders would have to answer for their actions.
A delegation from the top regional decision-making body ECOWAS will visit Bamako on Today to help resolve the attempted coup.
