taken on February 4, 2020 United Nations Secretary General Antonio
Guterres speaks during a press briefing at United Nations
Headquarters in New York City. (Photo by Angela Weiss /
AFP)
United Nations head Antonio Guterres demanded “the
immediate and unconditional release” of Mali’s president and
members of his government Tuesday after they were seized by rebel
soldiers.
“The secretary-general strongly condemns these actions and calls
for the immediate restoration of constitutional order and rule of
law in Mali,” a spokesman for Guterres said in a statement.
“To this end, he demands the immediate and unconditional release
of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and members of his cabinet,”
added the spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.
The sudden mutiny marked a dramatic escalation of a months-long
crisis in the fragile West African country.
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Guterres is following the unfolding developments in the capital
Bamako “with deep concern,” Dujarric added.
“The secretary-general reiterates his calls for a negotiated
solution and peaceful resolution of their differences.
“The secretary-general urges all stakeholders, particularly the
defence and security forces, to exercise maximum restraint and
uphold the human rights and individual freedoms of all Malians,”
the spokesman said.
The United Nations Security Council is due to hold emergency
talks on the crisis on Wednesday afternoon, diplomats in New York
said.
The meeting was requested by France and Niger and will take
place behind closed doors, a UN diplomat told AFP on condition of
anonymity.
AFP