Switzerland offers its peace expertise to Mali after coup
The Alpine nation has offered its mediation services to both factions in Mali following the military coup on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) responded publicly for the first time to the military takeover in Mali that took place on Tuesday and led the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and the dissolution of parliament. On Wednesday, the soldiers involved in the takeover promised to organise elections but the coup was condemned by other nations.
“It [Switzerland] calls for dialogue between the parties, respect for constitutional rules and the guarantee of democracy and the rule of law for the benefit of all Malians,” said FDFA in a statement on Twitter.
Switzerland is monitoring the situation closely and “stands at the disposal of the parties with its expertise in the field of peace” added the FDFA.
The country is no stranger to peace mediation in Mali. Switzerland has experience in trying to get a dialogue going between the Tuareg group Azawad National Liberation Movement (MNLA) and the government in Bamako.
More
A Geneva-based global health foundation came close to ‘collapse’. Where were regulators?
More
Will Switzerland finally do away with imputed rental-value tax on homeowners?
More
King Albert I: the mountaineering monarch
More
In Switzerland four out of ten people have a migrant background – who are they?
More
Can Saudi Arabia’s billions unlock the secrets to a longer, healthier life?
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.