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By Godfrey Olukya 12-12-2012
UK’s foreign Office Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds has reportedly called for an immediate return to civilian rule in Mali.
He said that UK is much concerned about the deteriorated situation in Mali .
Simmonds made the comments following the arrest on 10 December of Malian Prime Minister Diarra in Bamako by armed men on behalf of the military junta and the subsequent forced resignation of the Prime Minister and his Cabinet earlier today. Mr Simmonds said:
‘I am deeply concerned by the latest events in Bamako, and particularly by the intervention of the Malian military junta which has forced the resignation today of Prime Minister Diarra and his Cabinet.
‘The United Kingdom calls for an immediate return to civilian rule in Mali. The rapid appointment of a new government of national unity to take forward the political road map towards democratic elections and the reunification of Mali is critical to further progress. These events underline the need for coordinated international action, particularly with the United Nations, the African Union and ECOWAS, to achieve stability in Mali.’
Since the military coup took place in Mali a few months ago, thee has been chaos in the country. The northern part of Mali has been under Islamic militants groups which have even introduced sharia law in some areas.
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