Soldiers release Ousted Malian President

Soldiers release Ousted Malian President
former president of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar

Mali's new military rulers said ousted former president Ibrahim Boubacar has been freed.

The junta, which calls itself the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), made the announcement today, August 27, 2020.

CNSP said on Facebook it was "informing public and international opinion that former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has been released and is currently in his residence".

"President IBK is free in his movements, he's at home," a spokesman for the junta, Djibrila Maiga, told the press, referring to Keita by his initials, as many Malians do.

 

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Keita's release had been a key demand of Mali's neighbours and international organisations, including the African Union and European Union.

Mr Keita, had been detained since the country's coup on August 18

He announced his resignation hours later, dissolving his government and Parliament.

UN and ECOWAS condemned his arrest and called for his release.

Also arrested was Prime Minister, Boubou Cisse.