SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED OVER WAVE OF ARRESTS OF OFFICIALS IN MALI, CALLS FOR MILITARY JUNTA TO PROMPTLY COMPLETE TRANSFER OF POWER TO CIVILIAN RULE

NEW YORK, April 19, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General expresses his concern over the renewed wave of arrests of high ranking public officials in Mali at a time when numerous efforts are being undertaken to assist the country in overcoming the various challenges it is facing. The Secretary-General calls for the immediate release of all those arrested and urges the junta to refrain from any further actions that might undermine the effective restoration of constitutional rule in the country. These arrests are in contrast to other welcome developments that constitute important steps towards the full return to constitutional order, such as the appointment of Mr. Dioncounda Traoré as interim President of Mali and his decision to nominate Mr. Cheick Modibo Diarra as the interim Prime Minister. The Secretary-General calls for the military junta to promptly complete the full transfer of power to civilian rule.