This archive report was first published on 21 August 2020.
On August 18, 2020, a military coup in Mali led to the detention of President Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cissé.
As the situation unfolded, African leaders gathered for a virtual meeting of the African Union Bureau to discuss the region's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the African Union chairperson, led the call for the immediate release of President Keita and senior members of his administration.
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta urged for a "speedy, peaceful and democratic" resolution of the crisis, while President Ramaphosa called for dialogue to restore peace and stability in the West African country.
President Keita was detained following months of protests against his administration, which was led by mutinying soldiers.
The coup was led by army colonel Assimi Goita, who was introduced as Mali's new military strongman.
Gen Goita, who is in his forties, had previously headed Mali's special forces in the country torn for the last five years by jihadist and sectarian violence.
The coup leaders have pledged a political transition and new elections within a "reasonable time".
However, the fate of President Keita remains unclear.
As the international community continues to condemn the coup, the African Union's criticism adds to the growing chorus.
The 15-nation West African bloc Ecowas has also said it would suspend Mali from its internal decision-making bodies.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo strongly condemned the coup, stating that the United States would condemn any forcible seizure of power.
