Pro-junta protest against foreign “interference” in Mali capital

Thousands of Malians have taken to the streets of the capital, Bamako, to protest against what they see as foreign interference by Ecowas, West Africa’s regional bloc, and France, the former colonial power.

They have both been pressing the military junta to agree on a democratic transition.

Demonstrators gathered at Bamoko’s Independence Square and chanted anti-French slogans.

The country’s transition back to democracy following the overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in August last year is being closely watched in a region where instability is on the rise.

The international community led by Ecowas is insisting that elections, which are supposed to restore civilian power in Mali, be held by the set deadline of February 2022.