Former Malian PM, Speaker, 10 Generals detained after coup released
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Former Malian Prime Minister Boubou Cissé and former Speaker of the National Assembly Moussa Timbiné, who were arrested during the coup that overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on 18 August, were released on Wednesday night.
This was contained in a statement by the Vice President of the Transition and leader of the coup, Colonel Assimi Goita.
Ten Generals of the Malian Army, including the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, General Dahirou Dembélé, and the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, General Abdoulaye Coulibaly, were also released by the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), the junta that staged the coup.
The released personalities will have to remain "at the disposal of justice for all purposes," according to the statement.
Their release had been demanded by human rights organisations both inside and outside Mali.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had made their release one of the conditions for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Mali.
ECOWAS finally lifted the sanctions on Tuesday after the junta installed a civilian president and prime minister and formed a government.
The sanctions included the closure of the borders of member states of the sub-regional organisation with Mali and the suspension of trade and financial transactions.
These sanctions affected the economic activity of the country, which was already in the grip of a health crisis due to the COVID-19 and a security crisis since 2012.
-0- PANA GT/JSG/BBA/MA 8Oct2020
