Ousted Mali president Keita flies to UAE after stroke incident

His former chief of staff said he could be away for up to 15 days.

Mali’s ex-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta has flown to the United Arab Emirates for medical treatment after suffering from a minor stroke, the country’s military officials say.

Keita, 75, was ousted in a coup last month.

The junta is currently in talks with opposition and civil -society groups about a transition to civil rule.

It says it will step down in two years, but West African leaders want a quicker transfer of power.

Keïta was overthrown on 18 August following mass protests against his rule over corruption, the mismanagement of the economy and a dispute over legislative elections.

The coup sparked international condemnation, but it was welcomed by many Malians.

Keïta was detained by the military, but later freed.

On Thursday, he left a hospital in the capital, Bamako, after a two-day stay during which he was treated for a minor stroke, AFP news agency reported.

His former chief of staff said he could be away for up to 15 days.

The coup leaders have promised to respect international agreements on fighting jihadists. Thousands of French, African and UN troops are based in the country to tackle the militants.