BAMAKO (Reuters) - Police in Mali on Friday fired gunshots and tear gas to try to dislodge protesters demanding the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita from occupying the state broadcasting house and parliament, according to a Reuters witness.
Smoke rises as supporters of the Imam Mahmoud Dicko and other opposition political parties protest after President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita rejected concessions, aimed at resolving a months-long political stand-off, in Bamako, Mali July 10, 2020. REUTERS/Matthiew Rosier NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Two sources said at least one person was killed outside the national assembly building.
Mali’s state television ORTM went off the air after hundreds of protesters occupied the building in the capital Bamako.
The protesters, called to a rally by an opposition coalition, also tried to take over two major bridges.
The protest was the third since June, and came after the opposition coalition rejected concessions from Keita aimed at resolving a months-long political stand-off that began after a disputed legislative election in March.
Mali’s neighbours and outside powers worry the impasse could further destabilise the country and jeopardise a joint military campaign against Islamist insurgents in the West African Sahel region.
Protesters pelted the national assembly with rocks and shattered its glass facade, then ransacked and set fires in parts of the building.
Videos on social media sites showed a fire burning outside the building while protesters ran away with what looked like files, computers, furniture and other items. The authenticity of the videos could not be verified by Reuters.
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