Bamako - The African Mirror

Sep

2020

Ousted Mali president in hospital for checks, says source close to family

MALI’S ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was hospitalised in the capital Bamako on Tuesday evening for an overdue check-up with his doctor, a source said, six days after he was released from detention by the country's new military leadership. The junta allowed Keita, 75, to return home last Thursday in an attempt to court goodwill with regional states who imposed strict sanctions on the country following his overthrow on August 18. According to a deal struck with regional mediators, the junta agreed to allow Keita, who has ongoing health issues, to see his doctor, and if necessary, travel abroad for…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Mutinying soldiers detain Mali president and PM, deepening crisis

NEWS

TIEMOKO DIALLO MALI President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and top government officials have been detained by mutinying soldiers in the capital Bamako, plunging a country already facing a jihadist insurgency and mass protests deeper into crisis. Keita's detention at his residence in southwestern Bamako followed hours of uncertainty after soldiers mutinied in the morning at the Kati military base outside Bamako and rounded up a number of senior civilian officials and military officers. Prime Minister Boubou Cisse had earlier appealed for dialogue and urged mutineers to stand down, before dropping from view. Two security sources later told Reuters Keita had been…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Gunfire heard at Mali army base as embassy warns of possible mutiny

NEWS

GUNFIRE was heard on Tuesday at an army base outside Mail's capital Bamako as the Norwegian Embassy and a security source said a possible military mutiny was underway. Local residents and security sources said there was gunfire at the army base in Kati, about 15 km (9 miles) outside Bamako, where a mutiny in 2012 led to a coup d'etat, although it was not immediately clear who was firing at whom. A source who handles security for non-governmental organisations in Mali said gunfire had also been heard near the prime minister's office. "The embassy has been notified of a…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

What’s behind the mass protests in Mali?

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

MOHAMED SALAHA and PHILIP KLEINFELD PROTESTORS took to the streets of Mali’s capital recently for the latest in a series of mass demonstrations calling for the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who has struggled to stem rising jihadist and inter-communal violence in northern and central parts of the country after seven years in power. Malian analysts say the protests – which began last month – represent the most serious threat 75-year-old Keita, commonly known as IBK, has faced since he was elected president a year after a military coup helped extremist groups take control of large chunks of Mali’s…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

Mali PM apologises for security forces ‘excesses’ during protests

NEWS

MALI'S prime minister has apologised for "excesses" by security forces who opened fire last week on anti-government protesters but rejected opposition demands that President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita resign. Last Friday, the latest in a series of mass protests in the capital Bamako against Keita turned violent, with security forces firing on protesters, some of whom had occupied state buildings. Clashes continued for several days, with at least 11 people killed in total, the government has said. "Unfortunately, there were excesses. What happened is very regrettable. We apologise for it," Prime Minister Boubou Cisse said in an interview with France 24…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

Villagers killed in central Mali as mediators seek to restore stability

NEWS

ARMED men killed at least 12 villagers in central Mali, local officials have said, while in the capital Bamako West African mediators held talks on how to end a wave of protests against Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. Several mass protests since early June have demanded Keita's resignation, accusing him, among other things, of failing to quash violence by jihadist groups and ethnic militias that has killed hundreds of civilians this year. In the latest attacks, armed men on motorbikes targeted seven villages inhabited by Dogon farmers in Mopti region, said Ali Dolo, the mayor of a nearby town. "Among…