U.S. condemns detention of civilian leaders in Mali

Army members stand guard as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mediators delegation meet with Vice President Colonel Assimi Goita about the Mali crisis, in Bamako, Mali, May 26, 2021. REUTERS/Amadou Keita

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States on Wednesday strongly condemned the detention of civilian leaders of Mali's transition government and is suspending security assistance to the country's security and defense forces.

The State Department warned that it would also consider targeted measures against political and military leaders who impede the country's civilian transition to democratic governance.