Viewers Corner News correspondent in Bamako reported that President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta of Mali has resigned and also dissolved his cabinet after being arrested on Tuesday by soldiers. Ex-president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta of Mali stated in a televised address that he does not want any blood spilled to keep him in power, hence the dissolution of his government and parliament. This happened hours after Mr Keïta and Boubou Cissé (Mali’s Prime Minister) were arrested by mutinying soldiers on Tuesday, 18 August and were taken to a military camp near Bamako. The mutinying soldiers also took control of Kati camp. France and the regional powers including the Economic Community of West African States have condemned the actions of the mutinying soldiers. Mali’s ex-president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta won a second term in 2018, but many were angry over corruption and mismanagement of the economy by his government. This caused several protests recently in the country. Mahmoud Dicko (a conservative Imam and leader of new opposition coalition) called for reforms after he rejected concessions from Mr Keïta, including the formation of a unity government. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which had been trying to mediate between Mr Keïta’s government and opposition groups released a statement that its 15 member states had agreed to close their borders with Mali, suspend all financial flows to Mali and eject the country from all Ecowas decision-making bodies.
Source: Viewers Corner News.