President Keïta, father of Malian independence, had ruled a socialist government since 1960, supported by his party, the Sudanese Union – African Democratic Rally (US-RDA).

They wanted him to be arrested at Koulikoro when landing from his riverboat, the Général Abdoulaye Soumaré, but Keïta was ahead of schedule and his Citroën DS was blocked at 10 am at Kayo, a few kilometers from Bamako.

[3] Lieutenant Bagayoko asked "Monsieur le président, voulez-vous vous mettre à la disposition de l’armée ?

[1] However, according to Captain Abdoulaye Ouologuem, driver of the presidential car, the mutineers only demanded new elections but the president refused.

[1] Ten lieutenants (Moussa Traoré, Baba Diarra, Youssouf Traoré, Filifing Sissoko, Tiécoro Bagayoko, Joseph Marat, Mamadou Sanogho, Cissema Toukara, Moussa Kone and Karim Dembele) and four captains (Yoro Diakité, Malik Diallo, Charles Cissoko and Mamadou Cissoko) formed the Military Committee for National Liberation.