Mali President, Prime Minister Resign
Mali president and prime minister resigned on Wednesday, two days after they were arrested by the military.
Joy Kalu 
Mali’s transitional president and prime minister resigned during mediation efforts Wednesday after being arrested in an apparent second military coup in nine months.
Soldiers led by interim Vice President Assimi Goita, arrested President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane and took them to a military base on Monday after a cabinet reshuffle in which two officers lost their posts.
The military's actions have jeopardised Mali's return to democracy following a coup last August and drawn condemnation from international powers.
"The president and his prime minister have resigned. Negotiations are ongoing for their liberation and the formation of a new government," said Baba Cisse, an aide to Goita.
The resignations came during a visit by a delegation from the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS), which is pressing to resolve the stand-off.
During a meeting with Goita late on Tuesday, the delegation, led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, raised the possibility of sanctions against the officers responsible for the takeover, said a military official who was present.
Mali's neighbours and international powers fear the political crisis could further destabilise a country that Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have used as a launchpad for attacks across the region.
