UN Security Council seats on Mali crisis today

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali, has appeared on state TV, announcing his resignation.

75-year-old President Boubacar Keita had three more years for his second five-year term in office to end. He became President in 2013 and was reelected in 2018, but there is widespread anger over corruption, the mismanagement of the economy and the worsening security situation with jihadist and communal violence on the increase.

The armed forces in Mali, however, succeeded to oust him from power and declared their intention to set up a transitional government ahead of new elections.

In a televised address, Mr Keïta said he was also dissolving the government and parliament.

“I want no blood to be spilled to keep me in power”.

“If today, certain elements of our armed forces want this to end through their intervention, do I really have a choice?” he added.

IBK and his prime minister were taken at gunpoint from the capital to a military camp on Tuesday.

The United Nations and African Union have denounced the military takeover.
The regional organisation, Ecowas, announced a blockade along the country’s borders and have suspended financial links.

The UN Security Council will meet later on Wednesday.

There is jubilation in some parts of Mali after yesterday’s military coup.

The spokesperson for the military, Colonel-Major Ismaël Wagué, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force says international laws have been respected, adding that they wanted to put in place a “civil political transition” leading to general elections within a “reasonable time”.

The UN Security council will meet this Wednesday with Mali, as key issue on the agenda.