U.S. halts military cooperation in Mali
The United States said on Friday (August 21) it had suspended cooperation with Mali's military in response to the overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita- as thousands gathered in Bamako's Independence Square to celebrate the junta's takeover.
Keita's ousting has dismayed Mali's international partners, who fear it could further destabilize the former French colony and West Africa's entire Sahel region.
The United States regularly provides training to soldiers in Mali, including several of the officers who led the coup.
A Pentagon spokesperson referred on Friday to the events there as an "act of mutiny."
But, pro-coup Malians danced, tooted vuvuzelas and welcomed the junta members like soccer stars when they arrived to thank their supporters.
"We are happy to be with you this afternoon. We thank you for your support. We thank the whole of the Mali people for their support," the Junta's spokesman told the crowds.
The junta's representatives met with a group of politicians on Thursday (August 20) evening to discuss how best to move forward and organize a transition to civilian power.
