Nigerian Senator Condemns Military Takeover In Mali

A Nigerian Senator and member of Pan African Parliament (PAP), the legislative arm of African Union (AU), Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, has condemned the military putsch in Mali, which toppled the Amadou Toure-led government.

A group of at least 20 soldiers in military fatigues announced, last Thursday, that Mali was now under the control of the military, while suspending the country’s constitution and dissolving its democratic institutions.

In a statement from the office of the Senator, signed by Michael Jegede, his Media Assistant, Abatemi-Usman described the action of the military junta as completely unacceptable, despicable and retrogressive, stressing that it is capable of derailing the progress so far achieved in regional stability.

The Senator said: “no excuse whatsoever could justify coup in the contemporary world in which the African continent is struggling to cope with developmental challenges, and the Republic of Mali is no exception. I totally condemn their action and call for the immediate restoration of democracy in the country.

“Military rule is outmoded. As a matter of fact, any system of government that does not guarantee the freedom of expression and association cannot be allowed.

“The Malian junta’s coup seeks to undermine the African Union effort towards the achievement of full-fledged democracy, good governance and the rule of law.”