Mali President Resigns Hours After Being Arrested by Rebels

Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta has announced his resignation and the dissolution of parliament. This declaration came just hours after being detained by rebels, as reported by ria.ru. The unrest began the previous day at a military camp near the capital, Bamako. The insurgents declared the arrest of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and Prime Minister Boubou Cissé.

"I have decided to resign from my duties as of this moment. I do not want bloodshed to occur in the name of my power," the president stated in a televised address.

In addition, he announced the dissolution of both parliament and the government. The television network stated that a statement from the rebels would be broadcast in the near future.

Earlier, local media reported that the unrest in Mali is led by a group of high-ranking military officers, including Colonel Assimi Goïta and Colonel Malick Diaw, as well as General Cheikh Fanta Madi Doumbia.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the unrest in Mali and called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order and the rule of law, as well as the release of the country’s leaders.