UN and EU Jointly Condemn Mali Military Coup... "President Must Be Immediately Released" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The international community, including the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU), has collectively condemned the military coup that occurred in Mali. They have called for the immediate release of Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and other government officials detained by the rebels, and have announced plans to reject recognition of any regime established through the coup, deeming it unconstitutional.

According to foreign media such as the Associated Press (AP), on the 18th (local time), UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres expressed regret over the detention of President Keita and several Malian government officials by the rebels, urging their "immediate release." AFP cited an unofficial UN source reporting that, at the request of France and Niger, the UN Security Council plans to hold a closed emergency meeting on the 19th regarding the Mali coup.

The EU also condemned the coup in Mali, criticizing it as an unconstitutional act. Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated in a press release, "The EU condemns the ongoing coup attempt in Mali and rejects any unconstitutional changes." He added, "A coup can never be a response to the severe socio-economic crisis that has been hitting Mali for months. Only outcomes achieved through consensus, respecting constitutional principles, international law, and human rights, can prevent instability not only in Mali but also in the region."

The United States also expressed concern about the situation in Mali. Peter Pham, the U.S. State Department's Special Envoy for the Sahel region, tweeted, "The United States opposes all unconstitutional changes of government, whether by the streets or by security forces."

African regional organizations and France, the former colonial ruler of Mali, have also strongly condemned the military rebellion. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a coalition of 15 West African countries including Mali, urged the soldiers to immediately return to their barracks in Kati. ECOWAS has been mediating the escalating political turmoil in Mali since June. The ?lys?e Palace announced that French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the situation and expressed support for ECOWAS's mediation efforts. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the military rebellion "in the strongest terms" and called on the soldiers to return to their barracks.

Earlier that day, a military coup took place in Mali's capital, Bamako. Malian soldiers staged a rebellion at the Kati military base, located 15 km outside Bamako, in the morning, arresting President Keita along with numerous senior civilian officials and military officers. The Kati military base is known as the site of a previous coup in 2012.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, along with other regional officials, reported that President Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Ciss? are being held by the rebels. Protesters who had been demanding President Keita's resignation supported the military rebellion and poured into the streets of Bamako. Mali's state broadcaster ORTM reportedly ceased broadcasting following the president's arrest.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.