Local media and European embassies have reported that military vehicles roll in Mali’s capital, Bamako has raised concerns of an attempted coup in the country.
It was reported that the coronavirus outbreak contributed to frustrations after state lockdowns pushed many people out of schools and work as the Norwegian and French embassies on Tuesday warned their citizens in Mali to stay home.
The Norwegian Embassy wrote in an alert that the embassy has been notified of a mutiny in the Armed Forces and troops are on their way to Bamako.
Also, a French military official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity described the scene as a likely coup attempt.
Fears Of Attempted Coup Rise In Mali
The confusion in Bamako comes as Tens of thousands of protesters flooded the capital in recent months demanding the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.
The protesters accused President Keïta of botching the response to a fast-spreading Islamist insurgency while allowing the nation’s economy to crumble.
Local journalist disclosed that soldiers detained the president of the National Assembly and the finance minister as they also closed public squares and erected barricades on roads.
In the meantime, West African leaders including former Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan have travelled to Bamako to hold peace talks with aggrieved parties in Mali.
