Wetangula stranded in Mali after army mutiny

By Cyrus Ombati and Agencies

Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula is stranded in Mali after a military mutiny.

Wetangula was preparing to leave for the airport on Wednesday after attending an African Union security meeting but was stopped after news of Mali’s army protest spread.

Speaking to The Standard on phone, Wetangula said he could hear gunshots from his hotel room but he was safe.

Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula [Photo:File/Standard]

"I am safe but asking Kenyans to pray for our safety," he said.

The minister said some ministers from other countries and officials from the AU were also stranded in Mali.

Wetangula said he had attended the Africa Union Peace and Security Committee meeting in Bamako together with other ministers in a bid to resolve a crisis caused by Tuareg armed rebellion.

According to BBC, the army in Bamako mutinied and the state's radio and TV broadcaster was off air with its headquarters surrounded by soldiers.

Heavy gunfire was heard in Bamako and armoured vehicles sealed off the presidential palace.

It follows growing discontent among government troops as the Malian army struggles to contain advancing Tuareg rebels in the north of the country.

Earlier, soldiers were protesting about the lack of arms in their campaign.

The BBC's Alou Diawara in Bamako said there was a heavy presence of troops in the streets in the area around the building.

Earlier in the day, soldiers fired in the air as the country's defence minister started a tour of military barracks, just north of the capital.

The protest prompted an immediate strengthening of security around the presidential palace, with armoured vehicles sealing off the building.

Troops are also reportedly opposed to any potential talks with the rebels.

BBC West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy said the soldiers want to express their anger at the way in which the government is handling the Tuareg-led rebellion.

He said Tuareg fighters have forced the army out of several northern towns over the past two months while Islamist combatants have also gained ground.

Earlier this week Ecowas, the West African regional organisation, urged its member states to support Mali with military equipment and logistics.

A presidential election is due to take place in the country in just under a month.

The government has so far refused to postpone the poll, despite the current unrest involving Tuareg-led rebels.

-Additional report by BBC