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Mali soldiers mutiny in Bamako after army protest | Mali soldiers mutiny in Bamako after army protest |
(40 minutes later) | |
Troops in the centre of Mali's capital have mutinied and the state's radio and TV broadcaster is off air with its headquarters surrounded by soldiers. | |
Heavy gunfire has been heard in Bamako and armoured vehicles sealed off the presidential palace. | |
It follows growing discontent among government troops as the Malian army struggles to contain advancing Tuareg rebels in the north of the country. | It follows growing discontent among government troops as the Malian army struggles to contain advancing Tuareg rebels in the north of the country. |
Earlier, soldiers were protesting about the lack of arms in their campaign. | Earlier, soldiers were protesting about the lack of arms in their campaign. |
AFP news agency reported troops stormed the Malian Radio-Television Office (ORTM). | |
The BBC's Alou Diawara in Bamako says there is a heavy presence of troops in the streets in the area around the building. | |
Earlier in the day, soldiers fired in the air as the country's defence minister started a tour of military barracks, just north of the capital. | |
The protest prompted an immediate strengthening of security around the presidential palace, with armoured vehicles sealing off the building. | The protest prompted an immediate strengthening of security around the presidential palace, with armoured vehicles sealing off the building. |
Troops are also reportedly opposed to any potential talks with the rebels. | Troops are also reportedly opposed to any potential talks with the rebels. |
BBC West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy says the soldiers want to express their anger at the way in which the government is handling the Tuareg-led rebellion. | |
He says Tuareg fighters have forced the army out of several northern towns over the past two months while Islamist combatants have also gained ground. | |
Earlier this week Ecowas, the West African regional organisation, urged its member states to support Mali with military equipment and logistics. | Earlier this week Ecowas, the West African regional organisation, urged its member states to support Mali with military equipment and logistics. |
A presidential election is due to take place in the country in just under a month. | A presidential election is due to take place in the country in just under a month. |
The government has so far refused to postpone the poll, despite the current unrest involving Tuareg-led rebels. | The government has so far refused to postpone the poll, despite the current unrest involving Tuareg-led rebels. |