African regional bodies raise concern as former coup leader seizes power in Mali

The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States have joined world leaders and other regional bodies in voicing concern over the situation in Mali after Assimi Goita, former coup leader and current Mali vice-president, seized power on Tuesday.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, the chairman of the African Union Commission, on Tuesday called for an immediate end of the impasse and the unconditional release of the president, prime minister and defense minister, who were arrested on Monday.

"The chairperson of the AU Commission and the chairperson of the ECOWAS Commission follow with deep concern the evolution of the political situation in Mali, in particular the arrest by rebellious soldiers, of the president, Bah Ndaw, and his prime minister, Moctar Ouane," Mahamat said in a statement.

"We strongly condemn this extremely serious act, which cannot in any case be tolerated with regard to the relevant provisions of the AU. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of the authorities kept in the barracks and invite the Malian parties to favor the spirit of dialogue and responsibility to resolve misunderstandings surrounding the establishment of the government," he added.

A joint statement released by the United Nations, Economic Community of West African States and the African Union stressed the military elements detaining the transitional leaders will be held personally responsible for their security.

"The local transition monitoring committee, made up of ECOWAS, the African Union and the UN mission in Mali, with members of the international community, express its deep concern at the situation in Mali marked by the arrest of the president of the transition, the prime minister and some other authorities," the joint statement said.

"We reaffirm our firm support for the transitional authorities and call for the transition to resume its course and be concluded on schedule. The international community rejects in advance any act imposed by coercion, including forced resignations. We look forward to the visit from Wednesday of an ECOWAS delegation and call on all stakeholders to extend full cooperation to the ongoing efforts towards the immediate resumption of the normal course of the transition."

In a statement read by an aide on national television on Tuesday, Goita blamed the president and prime minister for failing to consult him about a new government after a cabinet reshuffle. The self-declared leader of Mali's transitional government, who led the August coup against former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, said the jailed leaders failed in their duties and were seeking to sabotage the country's transition.

The developments raised a new alarm about whether the transitional government will be able to move ahead freely as promised with plans to organize new democratic elections by February next year. However, Goita said that elections will be held next year as planned.

The UN Security Council is expected to hold an emergency meeting on Mali behind closed doors on Wednesday while West African mediators led by Economic Community of West African States representatives are set to meet with the country's detained president and prime minister.