2020 Malian coup d'état

2020 Malian coup d'état

The 2020 Malian coup d'état occurred on 18 August 2020, when members of the Malian Armed Forces initiated a mutiny at the Kati military base, located near the capital city of Bamako. The mutiny quickly escalated into a coup d'état, resulting in the arrest and forced resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.

Background

Mali has experienced significant political instability and conflict since the outbreak of the Malian Civil War in 2012. The government faced challenges from various armed groups, including Tuareg separatists and Islamist militants. The situation was further exacerbated by widespread corruption, economic difficulties, and dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the security situation.

In the months leading up to the coup, there were large-scale protests organized by the June 5 Movement – Rally of Patriotic Forces (M5-RFP), a coalition of opposition groups demanding Keïta's resignation. The protests were fueled by allegations of corruption, electoral fraud, and the government's failure to address the ongoing violence in the country.

The Coup

On the morning of 18 August 2020, soldiers at the Kati military base mutinied, detaining senior military officers and seizing weapons. The mutineers then moved to Bamako, where they arrested President Keïta, Prime Minister Boubou Cissé, and other government officials.

Later that evening, Keïta announced his resignation and the dissolution of the government and the National Assembly in a televised address, stating that he wished to avoid bloodshed. The coup leaders, calling themselves the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), declared their intention to establish a transitional government and hold new elections.

Aftermath

The coup was met with widespread international condemnation. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions on Mali and called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order. The African Union, United Nations, and other international bodies also condemned the coup and urged a return to civilian rule.

In the weeks following the coup, the CNSP engaged in negotiations with various political and civil society groups to form a transitional government. On 21 September 2020, retired Colonel Bah Ndaw was appointed as interim president, with Colonel Assimi Goïta, one of the coup leaders, serving as vice president.

Also see

• Malian Civil War
• 2012 Malian coup d'état
• Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta
• Assimi Goïta
• June 5 Movement – Rally of Patriotic Forces