Mali's president and PM remain detained by mutinous soldiers

Mali’s transitional president and prime minister remain detained after being taken by force to the military headquarters late Monday

BAMAKO, Mali -- Mali’s transitional president and prime minister remain detained Tuesday after being taken by force to the military headquarters hours after a government reshuffle left out two members of the junta that had seized power in a coup nine months ago. The African Union, the United Nations, the West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS and other members of the international community called for the immediate release of President Bah N’Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, who were taken to the Kati military headquarters along with others late on Monday. The garrison town sits about 15 kilometers from the capital and is the former stronghold of the junta. Those who signed on to the joint statement called for Mali’s political transition “to resume its course and conclude within the established timeframe.” “The international community rejects in advance any act of coercion, including forced resignations,” the statement said. “They emphasize that the ill-considered action taken today carries the risk of weakening the mobilization of the international community in support of Mali.”