Renegade Mali Soldiers Announce Takeover
Rebel troops have appeared on Malian state TV to announce they have seized control of the country, hours after attacking the presidential palace.
The soldiers said a nationwide curfew was in force and that the constitution had been suspended.
The troops, who staged a mutiny on Wednesday, say the government is not giving them enough arms to tackle a rebellion by ethnic Tuaregs.
West African regional body Ecowas has condemned the actions of the troops.
In a statement, it said it had followed the situation with “dismay and mounting concern”, describing the behaviour of the mutinous soldiers as “reprehensible” and “misguided”.
It follows anger among troops at the government’s handling of a Tuareg rebellion in the north
The whereabouts of President Amadou Toumani Toure are unknown
A number of ministers have been arrested
Country has had democratic rule for 20 years
Troops in Mali attack palace
Mali country profile
It comes after the renegade troops had staged a mutiny traded gunfire with soldiers loyal to the government.