Malian Prime Minister Moctar Ouane during his official visit in Bamako, Mali. [Reuters]Mali's ousted interim president and prime minister have been freed after they were arrested and detained by the military for three days, an aide to the vice president said on Thursday. Interim president Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane were taken to a military base outside the capital on Monday, triggering a political crisis in the West African country and drawing threats of sanctions from major powers. The arrests, orchestrated by Vice President Assimi Goita, have jeopardised Mali's transition back to democracy after a coup in August overthrew former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. Take a surveyGoita ordered their arrest after a cabinet reshuffle in which two fellow coup leaders were sacked from their posts.

Source: Standard Digital May 27, 2021 10:50 UTC