--- title: "\"Bloodless\" Coup Results in Resignation of Government" description: The presumed cause of the massive explosion was approximately 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored at the port since at least 2014 after being confiscated from a cargo ship. image: https://www.globalguardian.com/hubfs/GG_ArticleFeatureImages_8-21_GG_Article_GlobalDigestAug2019.jpg --- [+1 (703) 566-9463](tel:+17035669463) | [Emergency Support](https://www.globalguardian.com//emergency-support) [![GG Logo Main White](https://www.globalguardian.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GlobalGuardian_Oct2019/Logos/GG%20Logo%20Main%20White.png?width=208&height=45&name=GG%20Logo%20Main%20White.png "GG Logo Main White")](https://globalguardian.com) - [Corporate ](https://www.globalguardian.com/corporate-solutions) - [Personal ](https://www.globalguardian.com/personal-solutions) - [Government](https://www.globalguardian.com/government-solutions) - [Outcomes](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies) - [ Travel Security ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Traveler%20Security) - [ Executive Protection ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Executive%20Protection%20and%20Transportation) - [ Emergency Response ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Emergency%20Response) - [ Medical Assistance ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Medical%20Assistance) - [ Event Security ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Event%20Security) - [ Video Surveillance ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Asset%20Security) - Learn - [ Global Digest ](https://www.globalguardian.com/global-digest) - [ Newsroom ](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom) - [ Webinars ](https://www.globalguardian.com/media-room#t4) - [ Global Guardian Academy ](https://academy.globalguardian.com/) - [ FAQ ](https://www.globalguardian.com/faq) - Company - [ About Global Guardian ](https://www.globalguardian.com/about-global-guardian) - [ Executive Leadership ](https://www.globalguardian.com/executive-leadership) - [ Menu of Services ](https://www.globalguardian.com/service-menu) - [ Global Coverage ](https://www.globalguardian.com/global-coverage) - [ Contact Us ](https://www.globalguardian.com/contact) - [ Careers ](https://www.globalguardian.com/careers) [![Request Security](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2233164/aecafd49-7abe-4a80-95c2-e37dbbacda44.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2233164/aecafd49-7abe-4a80-95c2-e37dbbacda44) # "Bloodless" Coup Results in Resignation of Government August 20, 2020 | [Security Alerts](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom/topic/security-alerts) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Fcoup-in-mali%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Fcoup-in-mali%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Fcoup-in-mali%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Fcoup-in-mali%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=%22Bloodless%22%20Coup%20Results%20in%20Resignation%20of%20Government) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Fcoup-in-mali%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Fcoup-in-mali%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Fcoup-in-mali%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) In the morning hours of 18 August, soldiers loyal to Colonel Assimi Goita, Colonel Diaw, Colonel Sadio Camara, General Cheick Fanta Mady Dembele, and Colonel Mama Sekou Lelenta took over a large military base on the outskirts of the capital Bamako before descending on the city. Coup leaders arrested President Keita, Prime Minister Boubou Cissé, and members of the Malian cabinet. Unconfirmed reports indicate that gunfire was heard in multiple Bamako districts in the evening hours. At midnight (local time), President Keita announced his resignation and the dissolution of the government. On 19 August, the coup leaders issued a statement identifying themselves as the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) with the aim of establishing a caretaker government until free and fair elections are held. Colonel Assimi Goita has emerged as the leader of the military coup and held talks with opposition leaders. The transitional government will be in power for nine months, act with full executive and legislative powers, and appoint a new Prime Minister. The CNSP announced that elections for a new civilian government will then be held in April 2021, and that no member of the transitional government will be permitted to run for office.   A nationwide curfew from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am local time has been declared. Mali’s air and land borders have been sealed until further notice and the Modibo Keita International Airport (BKO) in Bamako is closed, with all commercial flights suspended. **The U.S. Embassy has issued a warning and is recommending for expats to shelter-in-place if possible, avoid gatherings, and maintain a low profile.** #### **Analysis** The current political crisis began in March over the country’s contested parliamentary election. Mali's constitutional court intervened in the election to tilt the scale in favor of the incumbents and an opposition politician was kidnapped, sparking mass protest. Last month, security forces killed at least 11 protesters as tensions continued to rise. The corrupt war economy that has emerged from the central government’s mismanagement of Mali’s jihadist insurgency is at the root of the conflict. Mali has a long history of coups d’état, with this week’s coup sharing many similarities to the nation’s last one in 2012. Both coups began at the Kati military base outside Bamako in response to escalating jihadist violence. The porous Mali-Burkina Faso border serves as the nexus of jihadist activity in the Sahel region. So far in 2020, over 1,800 people have been killed in clashes between government and international forces, jihadists, and ethnic militias. The 15,000 strong peacekeeping force and French military support has been unable tamp down the violence. With elections in neighboring Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Ghana – which have also seen recent protests – there are fears that jihadist movements could take advantage of regional political instability and existing grievances as they did in 2012. ![20200822_MAM917](https://www.globalguardian.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20200822_MAM917.png?width=500&name=20200822_MAM917.png) ## Support Contact Global Guardian's 24/7 Operations Center for assistance with evacuations, emergency response, or ongoing intelligence support related to this incident.  [![Request Security](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2233164/71797a38-0e6b-40f6-a22c-490cf3752bd2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2233164/71797a38-0e6b-40f6-a22c-490cf3752bd2) [** Previous Post](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom/double-storm-threat) [Next Post **](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom/covid-19-evacuation) ## Check Out Our Latest Updates [ ### Global Guardian's Zev Faintuch Featured in Newsweek TRUMP WARNS OF ‘MASSIVE ATTACK’ ON IRAN AMID QUESTIONS OVER ENDGAME Global Guardian Head of Research and Intelligence Zev Faintuch contributed analysis to Newsweek as... ](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom/newsweek-july-24-2026) [ ### Major U.S. Attack on Iran Appears Imminent The situation in the Middle East continues to escalate vertically, horizontally, and rhetorically with increasing signs that the United States (U.S.) is poised to launch a... ](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom/major-u.s.-attack-on-iran-appears-imminent) [ ### Conflict with Iran Escalating after Deaths of U.S. Service Members The U.S. military has now struck Iran for 10 straight days, targeting military installations threatening tanker ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and other sites in Bandar... ](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom/conflict-with-iran-escalating-after-deaths-of-u.s.-service-members) ### Subscribe Here Sign up today to receive monthly articles curated by the Global Guardian team on relevant and important safety and security topics. ![ul listed](https://www.globalguardian.com/hubfs/ul-listed.png "ul listed") ![GG_CertificationFooter_Black-01](https://www.globalguardian.com/hubfs/GG_CertificationFooter_Black-01.webp "GG_CertificationFooter_Black-01") ![ndaa compliant](https://www.globalguardian.com/hubfs/ndaa2.png "ndaa compliant") ##### Solutions [Corporate Solutions](https://www.globalguardian.com/corporate-solutions) [Personal Solutions](https://www.globalguardian.com/personal-solutions) [Government Solutions](https://www.globalguardian.com/government-solutions) ##### Services [Traveler Security](https://www.globalguardian.com/#1) [Asset Security](https://www.globalguardian.com/#2) [Cyber Security](https://www.globalguardian.com/#3) [Customized Security](https://www.globalguardian.com/#4) ##### Learn [Global Digest](https://www.globalguardian.com/global-digest) [Newsroom](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom) [Case Studies](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies) [FAQ](https://www.globalguardian.com/faq) [COVID-19](https://www.globalguardian.com/covid-19-newsroom) ##### Company [About Global Guardian](https://www.globalguardian.com/about-global-guardian) [Executive Leadership](https://www.globalguardian.com/executive-leadership) [Global Coverage](https://www.globalguardian.com/global-coverage) [Careers](https://www.globalguardian.com/careers) [Licensing](https://www.globalguardian.com/licensing) ##### Talk to Us [+1 (703) 566-9463](tel:+17035669463) [Contact Us](https://www.globalguardian.com/contact) [Request Security](https://www.globalguardian.com/request-security-services) [Emergency Support](https://www.globalguardian.com/emergency-support) [Travel Agents & Affiliates](https://www.globalguardian.com/air-ambulance/travel-agents-affiliates) Stay Connected ### STAY CONNECTED Join Our Community [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-guardian-llc/) © Copyright 2026 Global Guardian. 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