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West African leaders have called for the reinstatement of Mali’s ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.
The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) said it would send envoys to ensure the return of constitutional order.
This comes after the UN Security Council called for the immediate release of all government officials.
The leaders of the coup say elections are being held in what they describe as a ridiculous time.
They have also promised to respect international agreements on fighting jihadists.
There is an increased military presence outside government ministries in the capital Bamako, but shops and businesses have been open.
Mali, a vast country that stretches across the Sahara Desert, is among the poorest in the world and has experienced several military takeovers. It is currently struggling to contain a wave of jihadist attacks and ethnic violence.
Mr. Keita has won a second term in elections in 2018, but since June has received enormous street protests over corruption, mismanagement of the economy and contested legislative elections.
There has also been anger among troops over pay and the conflict with jihadists.
“We have decided to immediately send a high-level delegation to ensure the immediate return of constitutional order,” the 15-member Ecowas said at the end of a video conference.
“We call for the restoration of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita as President,” it said in a closing statement read by Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou.
“Mali is in a critical situation, with serious risks that a collapse of the state and institutions will lead to reversals in the fight against terrorism and organized crime, with all the consequences for all our community.”
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said in a statement that Mali “was plunged into political chaos” with “potentially tragic consequences for Mali and the sub-region”.
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Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta won a second term in 2018
The African Union has previously arrested Mali, say military coups were “something of the past that we can no longer accept”.
French President Emmanuel Macron said France and Germany had condemned the coup and wanted the quickest possible transition to civilian rule.
France, the former colonial ruler of Mali, has several thousand troops based in Mali fighting Islamist militant groups and their Minister of Armed Forces Florence Parly tweeted that this operation would continue.
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Who are the coups?
Colonel Assimi Goita has presented himself as leader of the new military junta, which calls itself the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), but little is known about him.
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Col Assimi Goita said he now leads the military junta
Col Goita, who is said to be the head of Mali’s special forces, has promised a rapid transfer of power.
Other members of the junta identified in the report include Col Malick Diaw, CNSP Vice President, and Col Ismaël Wagué, the Air Force State President, who had previously read a statement on behalf of the group.
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Ismaël Wagué speaks during a press conference in Bamako
The newspaper quotes on local websites as saying that four civilians were killed by gunfire during the military takeover, although this has been denied by coups.
What does the opposition say?
One of the parties in the M5 opposition coalition, CMAS, said it would support the coup leader in “developing a roadmap” after new elections and called on Friday meetings “to celebrate the victory of the Malian people”.
After meeting with the coup leaders, the head of Mali’s opposition M5 movement, Conservative Imam Mahmoud Dicko, announced that he would withdraw from politics. No reasons were given.
Mr. Dicko was one of the main figures in the huge street protests that Mr Keita asked to be fired.
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How did the coup take place?
It appears that on Tuesday night the military took control of the Kati army camp, about 15 km (nine miles) from Bamako, on Tuesday. They then marched to the capital, cheering as crowds gathered to demand the dismissal of Mr. Keita.
The soldiers then stormed the presidential building, arrested Mr Keita and his prime minister and took them to Kati Camp. The president’s son, the speaker of the National Assembly, the ministers of foreign affairs and finance were also reported to have been detained.
Appearing on TV on Tuesday night, President Keita said he would resign because he did not want “blood to be spilled to keep me in power”.
