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2012 Mali coup d'état
The Tuareg rebellion led the unsatisfied military to the coup
Date 21 March 2012 – ongoing Location Mali Result heavy gunfire heard in parts of Bamako renegade soldiers seize presidential palace, state media gunfire breaks out at a military base near Gao. with reports of senior commanding officers being held hostage renegade soldiers claim successful coup, declare nationwide curfew
Belligerents
Government of Mali 33 Parachute Regiment Presidential Guard	National Committee for the Restoration of Democracy and State
Commanders and leaders
President Amadou Toumani Touré Defense minister General Sadio Gassama	Captain Amadou Sanogo LT Amadou Konare
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
0	1 killed
2 soldiers wounded 40 unspecified people wounded

On 21 March 2012, renegade Mali Army soldiers attacked several locations in the capital Bamako, including the presidential palace, state television, and military barracks. The soldiers, who said they had formed the National Committee for the Restoration of Democracy and State, declared the following day that they had overthrown the government of Amadou Toumani Touré, forcing him into hiding.

Background

The coup attempt followed weeks of protests at the government's handling of a nomad-led rebellion in the country's north. Soldiers had demanded more weapons and resources for their campaign against the rebels and they were dissatisfied with what they perceived as a lack of government support for the army. Touré was to leave office when his term expires after the presidential election in April.

Timeline

21 March

On 21 March, defense minister General Sadio Gassama went to the Kati military camp, 15 kilometers north of Bamako, to defuse a protest planned for the next day by soldiers of the camp against perceived bad management of the conflict with the Tuareg rebellion in the north of Mali. He was met with boos and stones were thrown at his car, he was sequestered, at which point his guards riposted by firing warning shots in the air. The minister was released thanks to the intervention of the Kati zone commander ("commandant de zone"). The soldiers then stormed the weapons and ammunition reserves of the camp. Two soldiers were injured, but the presidency said Gassama was neither injured nor arrested.

Later that day, armored vehicles sealed off the presidential palace, and reporters heard 10 minutes of automatic gunfire near the headquarters of the Malian state broadcaster, whose programmes went off air. Soldiers blocked the path to the buildings. The Associated Press spoke with a soldier who said that when soldiers entered the palace, Touré's bodyguards did not defend the building. The mutinying soldiers searched the area for Touré, but he was not caught.

In the evening, after several hours, Mali's state broadcaster came back on air with a brief message displayed against a backdrop of traditional Malian music and dance. "In a moment, there will be a statement by the military," the message read. Riots also broke out at a military garrison near the northern town of Gao, and a military student reportedly said young recruits had started shooting in the air and took several of their senior commanding officers as hostages.

22 March

In the morning, Amadou Konare went on state television which identified him as the spokesperson of the National Committee for the Restoration of Democracy and State (CNRDR), apparently formed by the renegade soldiers. Konare declared soldiers had seized power from 'the incompetent regime of Amadou Toumani Touré' and said it would look to hand over to a new, democratically elected government.

Later, Captain Amadou Sanogo - identified as CNRDR's president - also went on state television to declare an immediate curfew 'until further notice.' He also urged calm and condemned any pillaging. Soldiers have been unable to find Touré, who is in hiding. In the morning, Kenya's foreign minister who was visiting Mali at the time reported that Bamako airport had been closed and that he could hear gunfire.

A military official who remained loyal to the President claimed the President was in good health, and that the interior and defense minister were also safe – contrary to earlier reports the defense minster had been arrested. The foreign minister was amongst several ministers arrested after rebels seized the Presidential palace and other parts of the capital.

Later in the day it was revealed the president had sought refuge at an undisclosed army base with soldiers who remained loyal to him.

The leader of the coup said that Mali's borders were closed and appealed for calm on state television. The BBC reported that the Malian Army's elite force, the Red Berets, was still loyal to Touré.

As the day progressed, the rebel soldiers began looting the Presidential Palace, taking TVs and other goods, whilst their leader urged them to stop the celebratory gunfire, which had been responsible for at least 20 injuries in the capital.

Loyalists confirmed that Toure was "safe and in command" at a military camp somewhere in Bamako, under protection from his "Red Berets", a parachute regiment which he formerly served in.

Rebel soldiers said during the evening they intended to launch an assault on a loyalist army camp in the capital where the deposed leader was believed to be taking refuge, guarded by the elite parachute regiment.

Tuareg advance

Inspired in part by the diversion caused by the military coup, Tuareg rebels in the country's north launched incursions deeper into Mali, seizing towns and bases formerly held by government forces fighting the conflict that caused the coup. As military forces have been engaged in consolidating their hold on the capital, the rebels have been able to push southward with little opposition. According to a source mentioned by Reuters, army forces have retreated to Gao.

International reaction

•  United Nations: In New York, a UN spokesperson said U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is following the event with 'deep concern' and called for calm and for grievances to be resolved peacefully and within the democratic process. Ban also reaffirmed the UN's support for the constitutional order in the country.
•  Australia: The Australian government advised its citizens in Mali to remain off the streets and avoid any protests and demonstrations.
•  Canada: Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird stated that "differences must be resolved by dialogue and democratic process, not by force" and called for a return to stability before next month's elections.
•  France : France said it was suspending diplomatic cooperation with Mali.
•  European Union: The European Union condemns the coup and asks for the restoration of the constitutional power as soon as possible.
•  Nigeria: The Nigerian government said it refused to recognize the "unconstitutional government" in Mali, and strongly condemned the coup.
•  Norway: Foreign Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, said that he condemns the coup against Mali's legally elected government and president. He said that the military must return power back to the legal authorities as soon as possible.
•  South Africa: South Africa condemned the coup and closed its embassy in Bamako.
•  United Kingdom: Minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham, said the British government is 'deeply concerned' about reports of a coup attempt and condemns any action to undermine democratic rule and the Malian Constitution.
•  United States: U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the United States condemns the military seizure of power and stands with the legitimately elected government of Touré. She also said its Embassy in Bamako is 'monitoring the situation closely and has advised U.S. citizens in Mali to shelter in place.'

See also

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• List of coups d'état and coup attempts since 2010

References

1. Schneider, James (22 March 2012). "Mali's CNRDR: An Accidental Coup?". Think Africa Press. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
2. Adam Nossiter (22 March 2012). "Soldiers Declare Coup in Mali". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
3. ^ Serge Daniel (22 March 2012). "Mali president holed up in barracks as junta digs in". The Daily Star. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
4. ^ "UN Chief Following Mali Events With Deep Concern". Voice of America. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
5. "UPDATE 6-Soldiers say they seize power in Mali". Af.reuters.com. 2009-02-09. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
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8. ^ "Sortie musclée des militaires de Kati dans la journée d'hier : Une mutinerie aux allures de coup d'Etat". maliweb.net. 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
9. "Démenti formel : Le Ministre de la Défense n'est ni blessé ni arrêté. Il est à son bureau où il poursuit calmement sa journée de travail (Formal denial: The Defense Minister is neither injured nor arrested. He is at his office where he continues to work quietly.)". 21 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
10. ^ "Mali's state broadcaster back on air". RTE. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
11. ^ Martin Vogl (2009-09-17). "Associated Press". Hosted2.ap.org. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
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13. "Possible Mali coup as soldiers storm TV station". Associated Press. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
14. "Renegade Mali soldiers say seize power, depose Toure". Reuters. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
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17. Ndonga, Wambui (2008-11-26). "Africa: Wetangula - Situation in Mali Worsening". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
18. "Mali president 'safe' after fleeing from overnight rebel coup". English.alarabiya.net. 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
19. David Zounmenou Institute for Security Studies. "BBC News - Mali soldiers loot presidential palace after coup". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
20. "Mali soldiers loot presidential palace after coup". BBC News. BBC. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
21. David Lewis and Adama Diarra (22 March 2012). "Mali rebels advance in north, mutineers seek president". Reuters. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
22. Lewis, David; Adama Diarra (22 March 2012). "Mali rebels advance in north, mutineers seek president". Reuters. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
23. Lewis, David; Adama Diarra (22 March 2012). "Mali rebels advance in north, mutineers seek president". Reuters. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
24. "Statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on situation in Mali". BNO News. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
25. "Australia: Updated Mali travel advice". 22 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
26. "Baird, Ablonczy React to Mali Coup Attempt". Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
27. Reuters – 4 hrs ago. "France suspends cooperation with Mali after coup - Yahoo! News". News.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2012-03-22. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
28. "Coup d'Etat au Mali: l'évolution de la situation en temps réel - Mali - RFI". Rfi.fr. 2012-03-16. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
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30. Location Settings (2012-03-22). "South Africa condemns Mali coup". News24. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
31. "UK condemns coup attempt in Mali". 22 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
32. "U.S. State Department statement on the situation in Mali". 22 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
33. "Mali Military Blocks Presidential Palace After Gunshots". Bloomberg. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.

• 2012 in Mali
• 2010s coups d'état and coup attempts
• Conflicts in 2012