Mali: President Keita Resigns

Malian president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, has resigned following months of mass protests against alleged government corruption and jihadist insurgency.

On Tuesday evening, 18 August, the 75-year-old president – who has been in power since 2013 – was detained by mutinying soldiers at his home in the capital city of Bamako, after seemingly failing to restore national security and address corruption in his administration.

Soon after his detainment, Keita – who appeared fatigued and wore a surgical mask – gave a televised address from a military camp in Kati, where other government officials are also being held.

He announced his resignation, as well as the dissolution of the country’s parliament.

Keita added: “If today, certain elements of our armed forces want this to end through their intervention, do I really have a choice? I hold no hatred towards anyone, my love of my country does not allow me to. May God save us.”

It currently remains unclear who began the mutiny – which has been condemned internationally – or who will now take charge of the ailing West African country.

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