Uneasy Calm Returns to Mali Following Heavy Fighting

A prominent politician in Mali says an alleged counter coup d’état orchestrated late Monday night by a section of the military seems to have failed.

Cheick Traore, leader of the African Convergence for Renewal (CARE) party and son of former President Moussa Traore, said Malians are confused by the state of affairs following heavy gun fighting between soldiers who support the junta and the Red Beret commandos. The commandos are said to support former President Amadou Toumani Toure.

“The junta sent some soldiers to arrest Abidine Guindo, the former chief of staff of the Red Berets. The commandos refused to give him up [and fighting erupted]. And then the commandos went to the national television and tried to take it over. I believe some people lost their lives,” said Traore.

“The junta sent more soldiers towards the national television, and I can say this [late] evening they are in control so far of the national TV.”

Abidine Guindo, the former chief of staff of the Red Beret commandos, is believed to have taken former President Toure to safety after mutinous soldiers stormed the presidential palace during the March 22 coup d’état.

‘The question is who is behind that counter coup. That’s what we might know in the coming hours or days…Captain [Amadou] Sanogo is supposed to make an announcement in [a] few hours on national TV, so we would know for sure what all of these things are about. Also, we would know for sure who is in control of what.”

The heavy fighting is believed to have started at the junta’s headquarters in Kati, just outside Bamako.