Deposed in 2020: Mali’s ex-president Keita died

Mali’s ex-president Keita is dead. The former head of state died at the age of 76 in his home in Bamako. Keita ruled the country from 2013 before being ousted in a coup in August 2020.

Former Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is dead. The former head of state died at his home in Bamako at the age of 76, the AFP news agency reported, citing the family. She therefore gave no information on the cause of death. Mali’s interim government said Keita died after a “long illness”. It was also said that information about the ex-president’s funeral would be announced at a later date.

Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop expressed his sadness at Keita’s death. “I bow to his memory with great sadness,” he said. Senegal’s President Macky Sall and Niger’s ex-President Mahamadou Issoufou also expressed their condolences. Politicians and other mourners gathered in front of Keita’s house.

First prime minister, then head of state

Keita was Prime Minister Mails between 1994 and 2000 under the first democratically elected President Alpha Oumar Konaré (1992-2002). In 2013, Keita won the historic presidential election called to restore democracy after a 2012 coup. He ruled the country until 2020. In another coup in 2020, Keita was ousted: after months of demonstrations against his presidency, he was deposed by the military, which took power.

Keita was arrested by soldiers at his residence in August 2020. Hours later, in a television speech, he declared that he would resign immediately. His health had steadily deteriorated since he was forced to resign. Shortly after his release from military junta custody, he sought medical treatment in the United Arab Emirates.

Keita was criticized because, among other things, he had not been able to bring the Islamist attacks that had been ongoing since 2012, especially in the north of the country, under control. He also delayed political reforms; a flagging economy and allegations of corruption had driven tens of thousands onto the streets.

sanctions against Mali

In May 2021, the military junta staged another coup. Colonel Assimi Goita, who had already overthrown Keita, deposed the civilian head of an interim government and proclaimed himself interim president. Both coups were sharply criticized internationally. After the coup in August 2020, the West African community of states ECOWAS closed the borders with Mali and cut off almost all trade relations.

West African nations imposed tough economic sanctions earlier this month after Goita indicated the next presidential election will not be held until 2026. He had originally agreed to an election by the end of next month.

The political situation in Mali has been characterized by severe instability since 2012. It is partly caused by jihadist-motivated violence. Germany is deployed with the Bundeswehr as part of EU and UN missions in Mali to help stabilize the country.