Mali’s Army Arrests and Forces President Keita To Go

Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita who was arrested by the country’s army troops has resigned. Mr Keita announced his resignation on television on the night leading to August 19, 2020. In making the announcement, Mr Keita clearly indicated the resignation was involuntary. He also dissolved the country’s parliament.

Later, in the early morning hours of August 19, 2020, a representative of the troops that arrested the president and forced him to go also announced in television that Mali will now be in a transitional administration under a military junta, that will be followed by new general elections after a reasonable period of time. The military junta is led by Colonel Assimi Goita.

The arrest by the army and eventual resignation of Mr Keita is said to have been applauded by jubilant crowds in the capital Bamako, probably from the opposition. The latter’s supporters have been protesting for months, citing, among others, corruption of his regime, and unwaveringly calling for him to quit.

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