Pascal Arogorn Ibe
Mali’ s new military rulers on Thursday said former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who was detained during the country’ s coup on August 18, had been freed .
The junta, which calls itself the National Committee for the Salvation of the People ( CNSP) , said on Facebook it was “ informing public and international opinion that former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has been released and is currently in his residence” .
Keita’ s release had been a key demand of Mali ’ s neighbours and international organisations, including the African Union and European Union.
“ President IBK is free in his movements, he ’ s at home, ” a spokesman for the junta , Djibrila Maiga , told AFP , referring to Keita by his initials , as many Malians do .
A Keita relative , speaking on condition of anonymity, said the 75- year -old former leader had returned overnight to his house in the Sebenikoro district of the capital Bamako .
Keita, prime minister Boubou Cisse and other senior officials were seized by rebel troops led by young officers who staged a mutiny at a base near Bamako .
In the early hours of August 19, Keita appeared on national TV to announce his resignation, saying he had had no other choice, and wanted to avoid “ bloodshed ” .
The release of Keita and other leaders has been demanded by Mali ’ s neighbours and allies and international organisations.
Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan , heading a team from the regional bloc ECOWAS , was given access to Keita last Saturday , and said he seemed “ very fine . ”
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