Mali’s military junta closes all borders and imposes curfew a day after ousting President Keita
Mali’s military leaders have ordered the closure of all border crossings and imposed a night-time curfew, a day after forcing President Boubacar Keita to resign.
“As of today, 19 August 2020, all air and land borders are closed until further notice. A curfew is in place from 9pm to 5am [local time] until further notice,” Col-Major Ismaël Wagué, Malian Air Force deputy chief of staff, said in a televised address.
Col-Major Ismaël Wagué extended an invitation to opposition groups – which have been calling for reforms – for talks leading to fresh elections.
“Civil society and political social movements are invited to join us to create together the best conditions for a civil political transition leading to credible general elections for the exercise of democracy through a road-map that will lay the foundations for a new Mali,” he said.
Mutinous soldiers stormed Bamako, the capital of Mali on Tuesday and arrested President Boubacar Keita, the Prime Minister and other top officials.
Hours after, President Keita addressed the nation and announced that he was resigning immediately.
It is yet to be determined who is behind the coup.
Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa. Simon covers President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, the U.S. government, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington D.C. and New York City.
