Thursday, March 22, 2012

KQ to evacuate Kenyans from Mali



Written By:Rose Welimo,    Posted: Thu, Mar 22, 2012
Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula and other government officials are all safe in their hotel in Bamako, Mali
The Government is working with Kenya Airways for a possible evacuation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs Moses Wetang'ula  and other Kenyans stranded in Mali following a mutiny.
In a press statement from the ministry of Foreign Affairs to all media houses, the Government said the minister and other government officials accompanying him are all safe in their hotel in Bamako, Mali.
It further says the Government is in touch with the Kenyan delegation and is keenly observing the unfolding scenario and waiting for more information on the state of security in that country.
It is also trying to establish contact with the interim authority that is reported to have taken charge in a bid to have the Kenyans evacuated.

Furthermore, the government is in touch with Kenyan Nationals in Mali and  wants them to get in touch with the Kenya Airways.
The Minister was in Mali to attend an African Union meeting on Peace and Security and is accompanied by three other officials from the Ministry.
The unrest in Mali  began on Wednesday as the country's defense minister started a tour of military barracks north of the capital and renegade troops staged a mutiny, trading gunfire with soldiers loyal to the government.
Troops are upset with the government's handling of a Tuareg rebellion in the north of the country, and are also reportedly opposed to any potential talks with the rebels.
Rebel troops have appeared on Malian state TV to announce they have seized control of the country, hours after attacking the presidential palace.
The rebels said that a nationwide curfew was in force and that the constitution had been suspended.
The mutineers say the government is not giving them enough arms to tackle a rebellion by ethnic Tuaregs.

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