Military Junta Overthrows President Touré — Political Vacuum Opens

Captain Amadou Sanogo leads a military mutiny at the Kati garrison, citing the government's failure to supply troops in the north. President Amadou Toumani Touré (ATT) flees the presidential palace and eventually goes into exile in Senegal. ECOWAS immediately suspends Mali. The coup creates a political vacuum that jihadist groups and the MNLA exploit within days to accelerate their northern offensive.