Mali: Soldiers overthrow government
Soldiers stormed state television and announced early Thursday that they had seized control of the country, dissolving all of its institutions due to the nation’s mishandling of an insurgency in the north.
On national television, a group of about 20 soldiers were shown in fatigues crowding around a desk facing the camera. They introduced themselves as the National Committee for the Reestablishment of Democracy and the Restoration of the State, or CNRDR.
“The CNRDR representing all the elements of the armed forces, defensive forces and security forces has decided to assume its responsibilities and end the incompetent and disavowed regime of (President) Amadou Toumani Toure,” said their spokesman reading from a statement. “All the institutions of the republic are dissolved until further notice. … The objective of the CNRDR does not in any way aim to confiscate power, and we solemnly swear to return power to a democratically-elected President as soon as national unity and territorial integrity are established.”