adminCaretaker President Dioncounda Traore suffered minor head injuries when protesters stormed his palace, the latest setback for efforts to stabilise Mali after the coup and deal with a subsequent revolt by northern separatists and Islamists.
Protesters occupied the presidential palace for several hours during a street demonstration in the capital Bamako called by local politicians who want the putschists to return to power and who accuse Traore of being a member of a self-serving political elite responsible for decades of misrule.
But coup leader Captain Amadou Sanogo, who at the weekend agreed with the West African regional bloc Ecowas to allow Traore to preside over a one-year transition to full civilian rule, distanced himself and his CNRDRE grouping from the pro-coup movement.
“The CNRDRE firmly condemns these acts of violence . . . . The CNRDRE calls on the Malian people to contain themselves and respect all efforts taken towards an end of the crisis and a peaceful transition,” he said in a written statement.
Sanogo wished a “speedy recovery” to Traore, who was taken to a secure location late on Monday after hospital treatment.
As part of the accord extending Traore’s mandate, Sanogo won status and privileges normally accorded former heads of state, including a pension for life and other perks.
The fact that unarmed protesters, mostly dressed in jeans and T-shirts, were able to occupy the palace compound despite the presence of security forces raised questions over whether they had tacit support from sections of the military.
“Ecowas will make the necessary inquiries to establish who ordered and carried out this reprehensible attack and apply the appropriate sanctions,” the 15-state body said in a statement. — Reuters.
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