Coup: Soldiers At Bamako Rally, Hail Malians For Support

Malian soldiers have expressed gratitude to opposition groups that came to Bamako’s Central Square on Friday, rejoicing over the ousting of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and the prime minister, Boubou Cisse.

Recall that the soldiers had engaged in a mutiny, thereby compelling the leaders to resign from office. They also dissolved the parliament.

Recall that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), and the United Nations Security Council strongly condemned the action of the mutineers.

Also, Mali’s opposition group, M5-RFP, had backed the mutineers, claiming that ECOWAS failed to capture the desires of the people in their interventions.

AFP reports that in contrast to the fierce condemnation abroad of the overthrow of an elected leader, many in the square were jubilant and shouted their approval when the junta came to pay tribute for the public’s part in the drama.

“We have come here to thank you, to thank the Malian public for its support.

“We merely completed the work that you began and we recognise ourselves in your fight,” the junta’s spokesman, Ismael Wague, told the crowd.