This development is grossly retrogressive and unacceptable. To think that the country has been steadily and preparing for the Presidential election next month shows the disdain of the persons involved in this cowardly action of a coup for constitutionalism and the rule of law.

Clearly, it represents a drawback in the gains made to consolidate democracy in Mali in particular and Africa in general.

ITUC-Africa supports the Economic Community of West Africa states (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and the International Community as a whole in the rejection of the military junta in Bamako. We ask that the community of nations also take urgent and decisive steps to
ensure the peaceful and quick restoration of the constitutional order in Mali.

Reports also reaching us suggest that some buildings of non-military and non-governmental organisations are being torched. Particularly, we have been informed that the offices of the Union Nationale des Travailleurs du Mali (UNTM), a trade union organisation affiliated to
ITUC-Africa has been attacked and set ablaze by rampaging renegade soldiers.

ITUC-Africa strongly condemns such actions that put defenceless and law abiding citizens and organisations and their properties at risk. We call on the Malian military and the other security outfits to prevent the situation from degenerating into anarchy and bloodletting.

We demand that the physical and psychological integrity of citizens and civilians be ensured and guaranteed.

Kwasi Adu-Amankwah

General Secretary