Soldiers loot presidential palace after ousting Mali leader in coup
Source: Agencies |
March 23, 2012, Friday
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SOLDIERS looted Mali's presidential palace yesterday hours after saying they were taking control of this African nation. There were conflicting reports on Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure's whereabouts.
Gunfire rang throughout the capital Bamako and soldiers carted televisions and other goods out of the palace following a coup announcement on state television. Toure had been due to leave office after elections on April 29, but now it appears the vote will not be held.
One senior official said Toure was safely ensconced at a military camp, protected by his red beret-wearing guards. Another denied the report, saying he was not at that base.
The mutineers blamed the government for mishandling an ethnic Tuareg insurgency that began in January in the north of this vast and poor arid nation. The Tuareg rebellion includes fighters who had supported Moammar Gadhafi in Libya and returned home heavily armed when he was overthrown. Tens of thousands of Malian civilians have fled the rebellion, prompting fierce criticism of the government.
The coup leaders who declared they were overthrowing the elected president called themselves the National Committee for the Reestablishment of Democracy and the Restoration of the State, or CNRDR.
"The CNRDR representing all the elements of the armed forces, defensive forces and security forces has decided to assume its responsibilities and end the incompetent and disavowed regime of Amadou Toumani Toure," they said, reading from a statement. "The objective of the CNRDR does not in any way aim to confiscate power, and we solemnly swear to return power to a democratically elected president as soon as national unity and territorial integrity are established."
The soldiers said they plan to hand over power to an elected government. More than a dozen candidates were expected to run in the election next month. Toure was not taking part as he already had served the maximum two terms.
The White House called for the immediate restoration of constitutional rule.
"The United States stands by the people of Mali and the legitimately elected government of President Amadou Toumani Toure," said a statement released by President Barack Obama's press office.
France said it is suspending all government cooperation with Mali except for aid and counterterrorism efforts and warned all French travelers to avoid traveling to the country until further notice. An al-Qaida-linked group is active in Mali and several other nations in northern Africa and has kidnapped foreigners.
Early yesterday, a group of around 20 soldiers in military fatigues were shown on national television crowding around a desk and facing the camera. They said they were suspending Mali's constitution and dissolving its institutions.
The coup is a major setback for one of the region's few established democracies. The ousted president came to power himself in a 1991 coup, but was hailed for handing power to civilians. A decade later, he won the 2002 democratic election. The 63-year-old Toure was due to step down after two, five-year terms.
Gunfire rang throughout the capital Bamako and soldiers carted televisions and other goods out of the palace following a coup announcement on state television. Toure had been due to leave office after elections on April 29, but now it appears the vote will not be held.
One senior official said Toure was safely ensconced at a military camp, protected by his red beret-wearing guards. Another denied the report, saying he was not at that base.
The mutineers blamed the government for mishandling an ethnic Tuareg insurgency that began in January in the north of this vast and poor arid nation. The Tuareg rebellion includes fighters who had supported Moammar Gadhafi in Libya and returned home heavily armed when he was overthrown. Tens of thousands of Malian civilians have fled the rebellion, prompting fierce criticism of the government.
The coup leaders who declared they were overthrowing the elected president called themselves the National Committee for the Reestablishment of Democracy and the Restoration of the State, or CNRDR.
"The CNRDR representing all the elements of the armed forces, defensive forces and security forces has decided to assume its responsibilities and end the incompetent and disavowed regime of Amadou Toumani Toure," they said, reading from a statement. "The objective of the CNRDR does not in any way aim to confiscate power, and we solemnly swear to return power to a democratically elected president as soon as national unity and territorial integrity are established."
The soldiers said they plan to hand over power to an elected government. More than a dozen candidates were expected to run in the election next month. Toure was not taking part as he already had served the maximum two terms.
The White House called for the immediate restoration of constitutional rule.
"The United States stands by the people of Mali and the legitimately elected government of President Amadou Toumani Toure," said a statement released by President Barack Obama's press office.
France said it is suspending all government cooperation with Mali except for aid and counterterrorism efforts and warned all French travelers to avoid traveling to the country until further notice. An al-Qaida-linked group is active in Mali and several other nations in northern Africa and has kidnapped foreigners.
Early yesterday, a group of around 20 soldiers in military fatigues were shown on national television crowding around a desk and facing the camera. They said they were suspending Mali's constitution and dissolving its institutions.
The coup is a major setback for one of the region's few established democracies. The ousted president came to power himself in a 1991 coup, but was hailed for handing power to civilians. A decade later, he won the 2002 democratic election. The 63-year-old Toure was due to step down after two, five-year terms.
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