Jonathan Condemns Coup In Mali … Toure Hides In Military Camp

President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the military take-over in Mali, and said that the Nigerian Government would never recognise any unconstitutional regime.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, yesterday, Jonathan expressed displeasure and dismay over the action of the renegade troops.

Malian rebel soldiers reportedly took over control of that country from the democratically-elected government of President Amadou Toumani Toure.

Jonathan, according to the statement demanded an immediate reinstatement of the government of Toure and the continuation of the electoral process in that country.

He described the military takeover as “an apparent setback to the consolidation of democracy in Mali in particular and the African continent in general”.

Jonathan warned the coup plotters to allow the ongoing democratic process in that country to run its full course.

He also warned them not to do anything that would truncate the electoral process, especially the presidential election slated for next month.

The president also cautioned against the shedding of innocent blood and unnecessary destruction of property of the citizens and foreigners resident in Mali.

He urged all well-meaning governments in the ECOWAS, the AU and the UN to roundly condemn the coup in Bamako and demanded an immediate reinstatement of the government of Toure and the continuation of electoral process.

Meanwhile,  Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure, ousted on Thursday by mutinous troops protesting the government’s handling of the rebellion in the north,has reportedly taken refuge in a military camp.

According to our source, the ousted President is at the Djikoroni military camp, which is home to Commando-paratroopers, to which Toumani Toure belonged in his days in the military.

It is not yet clear whether the ousted leader went there voluntarily or was taken there by the military junta, led by Capt. Amadou Sanogo.

The putshists, who started their mutiny at a military base on the outskirts of Bamako, the Malian capital, on Wednesday, have announced the arrest of government officials and a number of personalities.

They have also suspended the country’s constitution.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the regional power, Nigeria, have condemned the coup, which took place a few weeks before Mali’s presidential election in which President Toumani Toure was not expected to take part.

In a similar development, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr Jean Ping,  yesterday strongly condemned the military take-over of government in Mali.

A statement in Addis Ababa by the Peace and Security Department of the Commission said Ping expressed concern at the “reprehensible action by some elements of the Malian Army in Bamako”.

Ping, who said the AU would not tolerate any attempt to seize power by force, also stressed the need to respect constitutional legitimacy.

He said the Commission would continue to closely follow the situation adding that the Commission was in contact with President Yayi Boni, current Chairman of the AU, the ECOWAS, and other relevant international stakeholders.

Soldiers in Mali appeared on the country’s Television early on yesterday and announced that they have ended the rule of President Ahmadou Toure.