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MALI-CONFLICT-UNREST
Mali president announces resignation after military coup
BAMAKO, Aug 19, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita
announced his resignation with immediate effect in the early hours of
Wednesday morning, a day after rebel soldiers launched a coup.
In an address on state television, the 75-year-old also said that both the
government and Mali’s national assembly would be dissolved.
“I would like at this precise moment, while thanking the Malian people for
their support throughout these long years and the warmth of their affection,
to tell you of my decision to relinquish my duties,” Keita said.
The announcement comes after rebel soldiers detained both Keita and his
prime minister, Boubou Cisse, on Tuesday.
It also comes after months of political tensions and sometimes-lethal
protests in the Sahel state.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0828 hrs