Mali coup: Military group who took over power in Mali makes fresh demand

The military group that took over power in Mali, has made a fresh demand.

OnyxNews Nigeria reports that the military group has made a demand to rule the country for three years and has agreed to release the detained president.

According to a source in a visit by West African delegation and the rebel soldiers on Sunday, said: “The junta has affirmed that it wants a three-year transition to review the foundations of the Malian state. This transition will be directed by a body led by a soldier, who will also be head of state.

“The government will also be predominantly composed of soldiers,” the source in the ECOWAS delegation told AFP after talks with the military group.

One of the military officials on his part confirmed to AFP that “the three-year transition would have a military president and a government mostly composed of soldiers”.

The source and the official added that the soldiers have agreed to set embattled Keita free, and he would be able to return to his home in Bamako, capital of Mali.

President Keita was detained alongside other top political officials by the country’s soldiers on Tuesday, 18th August 2020.

“And if he wants to travel abroad for (medical) treatment, that is not a problem,” said source from Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

Prime minister Boubou Cisse, who has been held with Keita at a military base outside the capital where the coup began, would be moved to a secure residence in the city.

While the coup was met with international condemnation, thousands of opposition supporters jubilated the president’s forceful removal in the streets of Bamako.