President and Prime Minister Mali resign after being imprisoned

According to a spokesman for the vice president, the Malian president, and prime minister have announced their resignation. President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane were jailed by Vice President and Army Chief Assimi Goita on Tuesday.

Ndaw and Ouane are trapped in a military base outside the capital Bamako. Last year, they came to power as part of a transitional government set up after a military coup led by Goita. The vice president has now again seized power after army-affiliated ministers were fired by Ndaw and Ouane.

“Negotiations on the release of the president and prime minister and on the formation of a new government are in full swing,” said a Goita spokesman.

Local media report that the junta plans to close its borders and impose a curfew. In Mali, it has long been troubled by jihadist gangs that are carrying out attacks on villages, cities, and army bases.

The UN Security Council is discussing the situation in the African country today. Many international leaders have already called for the release of the president and prime minister.