Coup in Mali

In Mali, mid-level military officers and enlisted men seized control of the government on March 21. The leader of the junta, Amadou Sanogo, claims they took power to avert a national security crisis, noting that the government was not providing enough arms to fight an armed rebellion by Tuaregs in the north.

The junta announced a new constitution and pledged to hold elections in which they would not run.

At press time, ironically, Tuareg rebels aided by Islamist fighters had begun seizing towns in the north, including Kidal, Gao and even Tombouctou (Timbuktu).

The US State Department urges travelers not to visit at this time.