The United States strongly condemns the detention of civilian leaders of Mali's transitional government, affirming its support of the May 24 joint statement of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union. In a statement issued today, the U.S. Department of State reported that the US is working closely with the local transition monitoring committee and other international actors to seek the immediate and unconditional release of those detained and resumption of the civilian-led transition. "The United States stands with the people of Mali in their aspirations to achieve democracy, peace, development, and respect for human rights," the statement concluded.
