Army colonel Assimi Goita on Wednesday introduced himself as Mali ’ s new military strongman a day after a coup that was condemned by the international community but won support from the country’ s opposition .
The African Union , European Union , the United States and the UN Security Council have all demanded the junta free President Ibrahim Boubacar , Prime Minister Boubou Cisse and others taken captive in Tuesday’ s coup that followed months of protests .
In the Malian capital Bamako , Goita said after meeting top civil servants that he was the leader of the “ National Committee for the Salvation of the People ” that has seized power.
“ Mali is in a situation of socio - political crisis . There is no more room for mistakes , ” Goita , surrounded by armed military men , told journalists .
His entourage told AFP that Goita , who is in his forties , had until now headed Mali’ s special forces based in the centre of the west African country , torn for the last five years by jihadist and sectarian violence .
Several military men told AFP on condition of anonymity that Goita was the true force behind the coup .
Fellow coup chiefs meanwhile called on the public to return to normal life , warned against acts of “ vandalism ” and threatened to punish any soldier found guilty of extortion .
The opposition coalition M 5 - RFP said in a statement that “ it took note of the commitment ” the junta has made to “ open a civilian political transition ” and would work with it on “ developing a roadmap. ”
The coalition ’ s Choguel Maiga told journalists “ we will organise the biggest patriotic rally on Friday ” in Bamako and nationwide in order to “ celebrate the Malian people ’ s victory ” .
– ‘ Unconstitutional change’ –
The dramatic events in one of Africa ’ s most volatile countries began early Tuesday, when rebel officers mutinied at a base near Bamako and headed into the city , where they detained Keita and Cisse .
Hours later , Keita — beset by angry protests over economic stagnation , corruption and a brutal Islamist insurgency — announced his resignation .
He said he had been given no other choice but to quit, and sought to avoid bloodshed .
Jubilant crowds had cheered the rebels on Tuesday as they arrived in the capital Bamako .
There were few visible traces of those events on Bamako ’ s streets on Wednesday — troops had not been deployed en masse despite the coup leaders announcing a night- time curfew.
The 55 - nation AU blasted the “ unconstitutional change of government ” in Mali.
The bloc announced that it was suspending Mali — a rare move that bars a member from attending all summits and meetings — “ until restoration of constitutional order . ”
It also called for the release of Keita and other officials , a demand also made forcefully by Brussels and Washington .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States “ strongly condemns the August 18 mutiny in Mali as we would condemn any forcible seizure of power . ”
“ The freedom and safety of detained government officials and their families must be ensured , ” he said .
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