Soldiers who led Mali coup promise new elections; EU steps up pressure on Lukashenko; Autobahn crashes possible terrorist attack
A crowd of people cheer Malian army soldiers at the Independence Square after a coup, in Bamako, Mali August 18, 2020.
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The Malian soldiers who led a coup ousting President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta on Tuesday have promised to hold new elections and a transition to civil political rule. The coup, led by Col. Maj. Ismael Wagué and a group calling themselves the National Committee for the Salvation of the People, detained Keïta at gunpoint, forcing his resignation and the dissolution of parliament.
“With you, standing as one, we can restore this country to its former greatness,” Wagué said.
The military takeover was met with cheers from anti-government demonstrators in the capital, Bamako. But it was condemned by the international community amid fears the unrest could ripple across West Africa. The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet Wednesday to address the situation in Mali.
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The European Union stepped up pressure on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Wednesday by announcing support for the ongoing protests in the country following a controversial election on Aug. 9. European Council President Charles Michel called for a “peaceful and inclusive dialogue.” The presidents of neighboring Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia jointly said in a statement that authorities “open the way for a political solution … while refraining from the use of violence against the peaceful demonstrators.” Russian President Vladimir Putin weighed in on Tuesday, warning Western leaders from intervening in Belarus.
And, prosecutors in Germany said on Wednesday they are investigating a series of crashes on the Berlin autobahn as a possible terrorist attack. A 30-year-old man has been arrested with the crashes, which left several people injured. A spokesperson for the public prosecutor in Berlin called the incident a possible “Islamist-motivated attack,” but added the suspect appeared to have mental health problems.
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