Military coup in Mali

Military coup in Mali motivated by corruption, nepotism and lax approach to islamist fighters In Mali, a military coup went ahead on August 18, beginning at the Kati army base near the capital Bamako, and resulting in the arrest of president Ibrahim Boubacar Keit and other government officials. The president later announced his resignation via video, saying “Do I really have a choice? Because I don't want blood to be shed.” The situation was preceded by protests since June, following long-lasting dissatisfaction of Malian society, allegations of government corruption, nepotism and thair inability to end violence. Political tensions have been simmering since Keita won reelection in August 2018 in a poll the opposition says was marred by irregularities and since constitutional court’s decision to hand Keita’s party 10 extra parliamentary seats. The government pushed ahead with a legislative election in March and April despite the coronavirus outbreak. The main opposition leader, Soumaila Cisse, was kidnapped during the election and in July, the security forces killed at least 11 people. Moussa Faki Mahamat, chair of the Afarican Union’s (AU) secretariat, said he rejects any attempt at the unconstitutional change of government in Mali. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) closed borders with Mali and promised sanctions against the leaders of the coup. It called for the release of detainees, and agreed to suspend all financial flows to the country and eject Mali from all of its decision-making bodies. Critics are concerned that the coup could influence other African states, mainly Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana, where presidential elections are scheduled. There are also concerns about possible escalation of violence by terrorist groups in the Sahel. Mali is a major hub for multinational efforts to counter terrorist groups in West Africa. Groups linked to al-Qaeda and the co-called Islamic State have used Mali as a launchpad for attacks in neighbouring countries. There are also worries about fuelling another wave of migration and the failure of long-term expensive assistance from foreign forces. The United States has halted all security assistance training and support for the Malian military after new information emerged that the coup was partly initiated by military officers who received US military training. Assimi Goita, a Malian military officer who declared himself a provisional leader of the country, participated in US-led military training aimed to counter extremist groups. The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the USA urges all stakeholders in Mali to engage in peaceful dialogue, to respect Malians’ rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and to reject violence. The government in Mali has done little to stop the escalation of jihadist violence. In the first half of 2020 more than 1,800 people were killed in fights involving jihadists and ethnic militias. The presence of Western forces, UN peacekeepers and an EU-led training mission has not stopped the bloodshed. This is not the first coup in Mali, in 1991, armed forces stepped in after sustained protests against dictator Moussa Traoré, and in March 2012, soldiers angry with the government’s handling of a rebellion in the north ousted the president, Amadou Toumani Touré. The overthrown president Keita has won presidential elections in 2013 and 2018, but in 2012, the political vacuum was used by the Islamists who lead attacks in the northern parts of the country. As a result, French troops were sent to the region. France, together with the AU and ECOWAS, backed a UN mission to keep peace, while democratic elections were held and a new political settlement reached. The European Union established a training mission (EUTM Mali) there in 2013. It involves around 700 troops from 23 EU member States and five non-EU countries. The current commander of the mission is Brigadier General František Ridzák from the Czech Republic. The Slovak Republic contributes five soldiers to EUTM. (Michaela Ružičková) Photo: UN Mission in Mali #africa #news #politics #mali #coup #military #opinion #ახალიამბები #აფრიკა #გადატრიალება #მალი #პოლიტიკა