The United States on Thursday condemned a violent coup by renegade soldiers in Mali and demanded the return of civilian rule in the West African country. "The United States strongly condemns the violence initiated by elements of the armed forces of Mali," the White House said in a statement. "We call for the immediate restoration of constitutional rule in Mali, including full civilian authority over the armed forces and respect for the country's democratic institutions and traditions." "The United States stands by the people of Mali and the legitimately elected government," the White House wrote, welcoming statements from the African Union condemning what it called an "unconstitutional seizure of power."
