Pompeo decries 'mutiny in Mali' after country's president ousted in coup

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday decried the "mutiny in Mali" after the nation's president announced his resignation shortly after being taken into custody by armed troops.

Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse both were arrested at gunpoint on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.

"The United States strongly condemns the August 18 mutiny in Mali as we would condemn any forcible seizure of power," Pompeo said in a statement.

"The freedom and safety of detained government officials and their families must be ensured," Pompeo said. "The United States calls on all political and military actors to work towards a restoration of constitutional government. We urge all stakeholders in Mali to engage in peaceful dialogue, to respect Malians’ rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and to reject violence."

Leaders of the Malian president's ouster on Wednesday said that there would be new elections.