Mali coup leaders announce formation of National Council

SANAA, Aug. 19 (YPA) –  Leaders of Mali’s military coup announced on Wednesday morning the formation of a National Council for the Salvation of the people.

In a brief speech broadcast on the country’s state television, the coup leaders said they were announcing the formation of a national council to save the people.

They have pledged new elections in the country and a transfer of power to those leading to it.
“We, the patriotic forces grouped together within the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), have decided to take our responsibilities before the people and before history”, declared on public television ORTM the spokesperson for the military, Colonel-Major Ismaël Wagué, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force. He said that all of Mali’s international agreements will be respected.

Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita , in a brief speech on state television, announced his resignation from the presidency and dissolved parliament and the government.

“I really have no choice but to submit because I don’t want bloodshed to keep me president,” he said.

Keita was elected president of Mali in 2013 and re-elected in 2018 with more than 60 percent of the vote in an election that the opposition questioned.

E.M