The Malian military, dissatisfied with the remodeling of the government announced by the transitional authorities, arrested the president and the prime minister on Monday, in a coup that has shaken the African country plunged into a serious crisis and that sparked international condemnation.

President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane lead the transitional government that was installed after a coup in August to quell the threat of international sanctions.. In Brussels, European Union (EU) leaders on Tuesday condemned what they called the “kidnapping” of the Malian president and prime minister, European Council President Charles Michel said.. “What happened is grave and serious, and we are ready to consider the necessary measures,” Michel told reporters at the end of the first day of the summit of the 27 EU leaders..

For his part, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, called for “calm” in Mali and called for the “unconditional release” of its civilian leaders detained by the military during the day.

Previously, the UN, African organizations and countries such as France and the United States had condemned the “coup attempt” in Mali and rejected any action by force, including the eventual forced resignation of the transitional leaders detained by the military..

The coup leaders and military hierarchs maintained their presence and influence over the transitional government, which raised doubts about the commitment to hold elections early next year.. Two senior officials who asked not to be named said soldiers took Ndaw and Ouane to the Kati military camp outside the capital Bamako..

His arrest occurred after the reshuffle of the cabinet on Monday afternoon, in response to growing criticism of the interim government.. In this change, the military kept the strategic ministries that they already controlled in the government, but two coup leaders, the former Defense Minister, Sadio Camara, and the former Security Minister, Colonel Modibo Kone, were excluded.

Meanwhile, rumors of a possible coup circulated in the capital, although the city remained calm.. Prime Minister Ouane told AFP, in a brief telephone contact before the line was cut, that the soldiers “came for me”..

The transitional government announced on May 14 the intention to reform the cabinet to incorporate other sectors into the administration amid growing popular discontent. An interim government official, who requested anonymity, said the ministerial change was intended to send a message that “respect for the transition timeline remains a priority.”.

Mali experienced a coup on August 18, when young soldiers deposed the government after weeks of protests over alleged corruption and the management of the jihadist insurgency.. The military junta agreed to hand over power to a transitional government led by Ndaw and Ouane after the 15-nation West African bloc threatened sanctions. However, coup leader Assimi Goita was appointed as vice president, raising doubts that the interim government, still under military control, was willing to adopt short-term reforms..

The country also faces a major security challenge, with large parts of its vast territory in the hands of jihadists.. Amid the turmoil, the interim government pledged to hold a constitutional referendum on October 31 and elections in February 2022.. Meanwhile, the country's largest union called a second week of strike on Monday after wage negotiations with the interim government collapsed.