The United Nations (UN) Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) demanded Monday evening on its Twitter account the release of Malian transitional President Bah N'Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, who were taken against their will to the Kati military camp after announcing the list of new government members.

"We are following events closely and remain committed to supporting the Transition. We call for calm and demand the immediate and unconditional release of the President and the Prime Minister," the UN mission said on Twitter.

"They must ensure the well-being of those detained. We are in close contact with ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and the AU (African Union), within the framework of the Local Transition Monitoring Committee, as well as with other int. actors engaged in supporting the ongoing transition," it added.

According to local media, this act could be due to the discontent of the former National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) following the ousting of two of its influential members in the new team formed by the prime minister.

They are Colonel Sadio Camara, former Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, and Colonel Modibo Kone, former Minister of Security and Civil Protection. According to sources close to the military, they are the "real" brains of the mutiny which resulted in the overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on August 18 last year.

According to another source of the prime minister's office, the members of the former CNSP ordered the resignation of the prime minister, but President Bah N'Daw refused.

The Chinese Embassy in Mali published a notification on its website late on Monday urging Chinese people in Mali to stay safe and try to avoid outings because of the uncertainty caused by the discontent over the formation of the transitional government.