Malian leader Keïta arrested by mutinying soldiers, say sources
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London/Bamako — Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was arrested on Tuesday by mutinying soldiers in the capital Bamako, two security sources said.
A spokesperson for Keita could not be reached for comment.
The arrest came after soldiers mutinied at the Kati army base outside Bamako and rounded up a number of senior civilian and military officials. They were driven back to their base, a Malian security source and an official in the prime minister's office said.
Earlier rumours that the mutineers had arrested Keïta swept Bamako, prompting hundreds of antigovernment protesters to pour into a central square to celebrate and say it was time for him to resign.
Neither source said who the officials were or how many had been arrested. Reuters has seen no evidence that Keïta was among those rounded up.
Prime Minister Boubou Cisse issued a brief statement late in the afternoon calling for dialogue to resolve the crisis. He did not address the whereabouts of any officials nor say who he sought dialogue with.
“The outbursts observed reflect a certain frustration that could have legitimate causes,” Cisse said. “The government of Mali asks the authors of these acts to stand down.”
It was not immediately clear how many soldiers were involved. A Malian military spokesperson confirmed that gunshots were fired at the base in Kati, about 15km from the capital, but said he did not have any further information.
A mutiny in 2012 at the Kati base led to a coup that toppled then-president Amadou Toumani Toure and contributed to the fall of northern Mali to jihadist militants, who continue to operate across the north and centre of the country.
A European diplomat said a relatively small number of members of the National Guard, apparently angered by a pay dispute, had seized a munitions depot on Tuesday but were then reported to have been surrounded by other government troops.
A French military source said discussions were taking place between Mali's army command and the mutineers.
In Bamako, hundreds of people poured into the square around the Independence Monument, the site of mass protests since June, calling for Keïta to quit over alleged corruption and worsening security.
“Whether he's been arrested or not, what is certain is that his end is near. God is granting our prayers. IBK is finished,” said Haidara Assetou Cisse, a teacher, referring to the president by his initials.
“We have come out ...
A spokesperson for Keita could not be reached for comment.
The arrest came after soldiers mutinied at the Kati army base outside Bamako and rounded up a number of senior civilian and military officials. They were driven back to their base, a Malian security source and an official in the prime minister's office said.
Earlier rumours that the mutineers had arrested Keïta swept Bamako, prompting hundreds of antigovernment protesters to pour into a central square to celebrate and say it was time for him to resign.
Neither source said who the officials were or how many had been arrested. Reuters has seen no evidence that Keïta was among those rounded up.
Prime Minister Boubou Cisse issued a brief statement late in the afternoon calling for dialogue to resolve the crisis. He did not address the whereabouts of any officials nor say who he sought dialogue with.
“The outbursts observed reflect a certain frustration that could have legitimate causes,” Cisse said. “The government of Mali asks the authors of these acts to stand down.”
It was not immediately clear how many soldiers were involved. A Malian military spokesperson confirmed that gunshots were fired at the base in Kati, about 15km from the capital, but said he did not have any further information.
A mutiny in 2012 at the Kati base led to a coup that toppled then-president Amadou Toumani Toure and contributed to the fall of northern Mali to jihadist militants, who continue to operate across the north and centre of the country.
A European diplomat said a relatively small number of members of the National Guard, apparently angered by a pay dispute, had seized a munitions depot on Tuesday but were then reported to have been surrounded by other government troops.
A French military source said discussions were taking place between Mali's army command and the mutineers.
In Bamako, hundreds of people poured into the square around the Independence Monument, the site of mass protests since June, calling for Keïta to quit over alleged corruption and worsening security.
“Whether he's been arrested or not, what is certain is that his end is near. God is granting our prayers. IBK is finished,” said Haidara Assetou Cisse, a teacher, referring to the president by his initials.
“We have come out ...
