UN chief António Guterres has demanded the immediate release of Mali’s President Bah Ndaw and PM Moctar Ouane, who have been detained by soldiers. They were driven by soldiers to a military camp near the capital, Bamako.
The two men have been leading an interim government which took power after a military coup last August.
They were detained just hours after a government reshuffle in which two army officers who took part in the coup were replaced.
Late on Monday, Mr Ouane told AFP in a phone call that soldiers “came to get him”. The news agency said the line was then cut.
Defence Minister Souleymane Doucouré has also reportedly been detained.
The AU, Ecowas, the EU and the US have also condemned the arrests, saying Mali’s top politicians must be released without any preconditions.
The interim government – overseeing the 18-month transition – agreed to appoint a new broader-based cabinet in the face of many problems the country was facing. Col Sadio Camara and Col Modibo Kone, who served as ministers of defence and security respectively, were dropped.
The opposition group behind the protests last year, M5 RFP, is also infuriated that it did not get rewarded with any ministerial positions.
Plus public confidence is waning over the army leaders’ ability to tackle the Islamist insurgency that has spilled into neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.
A previous coup in 2012 led to militant Islamists exploiting the chaos and seizing the north of the country.
French troops helped regain territory, but attacks continue as the insurgents capitalise on the persistent political instability in the region.
Discussions are ongoing at the Kati military camp, where the president and prime minister are being held. The talks have also involved members of the M5 RFP. The group has been critical of the prime minister, so may be angling to replace him.
A delegation from Ecowas, which played a key role in setting up the transitional government, is also due to visit Bamako.
BBC
