AU Condemns Hostile Takeover Of Mali By Soldiers

African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki has strongly condemned the forced detention of the President of #Mali Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the Prime Minister and other members of the Malian Government.

He bemoaned that, the recent military coup in Mali opposed peace and stability Africa Leaders are working assiduously to achieve.

This comes after gunfire erupted inside a military base near the capital Bamako

In a statement signed by the Spokesperson to the Chairperson of the Commission, Ebba Kalondo and copied to thepressradio.com , the Chairperson called for immediate release of Mali President and his ministers.

“The Chairperson strongly rejects any attempt at the unconstitutional change of government in Mali and calls on the mutineers to cease all recourse to violence, and calls for the respect of the country’s institutions”. He stated.

Moussa Faki therefore called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the United Nations and the entire international community to combine their collective efforts to oppose any use of force as a means to end the political crisis in Mali.

Meanwhile, Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta has resigned, after being detained by soldiers on Tuesday, state TV reports.

In a televised address, Mr Keïta said he was also dissolving the government and parliament.

"I want no blood to be spilled to keep me in power," he added.