Ousted Mali’s President, Keita Flown Abroad For Treatment

The ousted President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Thursday left hospital after being treated for a mini-stroke.

A source revealed that Keita may now head to the United Arab Emirates for further treatment.

“Everything is going well. The test results look good,” said a medical source at the private health facility in the capital Bamako where the former president was treated.

A member of Keita’s entourage told Nigeria News that he had returned home in the evening, adding that “the United Arab Emirates has agreed to send a medical plane to pick him up,” though details still had to be worked out.

Recall that a coup force Keita out of power on August 18 by young military officers who staged an uprising at a base near Bamako before heading into the city, where they seized Keita and other leaders.

He was released by the rebellion on August 27 and returned to his residence in Bamako, under surveillance due to pressure from ECOWAS.

Naija News had earlier reported that Keita was admitted to the private hospital on Tuesday after suffering what is called a transient ischaemic attack.

This occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted for a few minutes, causing stroke-like symptoms such as numbness on one side of the body, vision difficulties or confusion in understanding speech.

“A delegation from the ruling military, led by Colonel Assimi Goita, visited (the) former president in the clinic,” a doctor told Nigeria News, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Relatives of Keita confirmed the visit.