The African Union Commission has reacted to the arrest and detention of Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse by mutinying soldiers.

The African Union Commission frowned at the arrests of Keita, Cisse and other officials which occurred on Tuesday.

Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, also condemned any attempt at “anti-constitutional” change while calling on the mutinying soldiers to respect the state’s institutions.

“I energetically condemn the arrest of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the prime minister and other members of the Malian government and call for their immediate liberation,” he wrote on Twitter.

During the arrest, there were scenes of thousands of citizens cheering the ouster.

Crowds were jubilating at Independence Square in Bamako, Mali, and other places.

For more nearly three months, demonstrations demanding for Keita’s resignation were held.

Dozens lost their lives, a situation that worsened the crisis.

Keita’s removal comes despite the intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).