Human Rights Commission condemns military coup in Mali

The International Human Rights Commission has condemned the recent military coup in Mali, describing it as “unacceptable in the 21st century”.

Rotimi Benjamin, the Coordinator of IHRC, Nigerian Committee, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

NAN reports that the rebel soldiers had on August 18 overthrown President Ibrahim Keita-led government.

The development had dealt a big blow to a country already struggling with brutal Islamist insurgency and widespread public discontent over its government.

NAN also reports that on August 22, West African leaders arrived in Mali to try and push for a speedy return to civil rule after the coup.

The delegation, headed by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, was planning to meet members of the new junta, as well as the ousted

President Ibrahim Keita.

Benjamin said military coup in the 21st century was uncivilised and unacceptable.

“This is totally rejected; you cannot take away the rights of people to elect their leaders by the use of military power.

“Military Coup does not depict an uncivilised way of changing power; people’s representatives can pass a vote of no confidence and elect a new leader thereafter through democracy.

“African leaders must live up to the expectations by providing good governance that will take away the sufferings of the citizens,” he said.

Benjamin called on people of Mali to reject the juntas and force them to barracks, where they belonged.

“A corrupt democratic government is far better than military government; people should organise mass protest against the military rule,” he said. (NAN)