The President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, resigned on 18 August 2020. Mr. Keita, decided to resign after sections of the Malian army took to the streets in an armed mutiny. Instead of resisting the mutiny using loyal troops, he decided that the best course of action was to leave office.
Parts of the military had become unhappy with the rule of the 75-year-old President and decided to mutiny to force the regime into concessions or to force it out of office. Mr. Keita took the decision to resign as he did not want to use violence to suppress the mutiny or risk starting a civil war. He decided to put the security and stability of Mali ahead of his own political career and grip on power. As well as resigning the presidency he dissolved the Malian government and its National Assembly. It is as yet unclear when new parliamentary elections will be held.
