Gambian leader Adama Barrow has joined global condemnation of Tuesday’s military coup in Mali which toppled the government of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.

“President Adama Barrow today joined his colleagues at a virtual Emergency Summit convened by the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government to condemn the mutiny in Mali,” State House said in a statement.

“While describing the situation as a derailment to the mediation process that has been ongoing, President Barrow urged the Summit to act fast and tactfully to diffuse the tension.”

The Malian army on Tuesday stormed the State House in Bamako and arrested President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and his prime minister. The president later resigned in a brief address on state television.

“If today, certain elements of our armed forces want this to end through their intervention, do I really have a choice?” he asked. “I hold no hatred towards anyone, my love of my country does not allow me to. May God save us,” the deposed President Keita said. 

The International Community including regional bloc Ecowas, African Union, European Union and United Nations have condemned the coup and urged the military to handover power to civilians and return to their barracks. 

They also demand for the release of ex-president Keïta and all political detainees.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba