Dozens injured in Mali protest:

Africa

The UN has called for calm in Mali after dozens of people were hurt during banned opposition protests in Bamako, sparking calls for the prime minister to resign two months ahead of presidential elections.

The opposition said some 30 people were hospitalised — including prominent opposition figure Etienne Fabaka Sissoko who was left “in a coma” — after security forces fired “live ammunition” at protesters on Saturday.

The government did not say how many demonstrators were wounded but said a police officer received a head injury.

The police action was necessary “to prevent any gathering likely to disturb the public order”, the security ministry said.

A “transparency” rally outside the party headquarters of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita attracted several hundred people.

Police fired tear gas and beat demonstrators with batons, according to an AFP reporter at the scene. Clashes also took place in other locations.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who visited Mali last week, called for “calm and restraint by all parties”.

“(He) calls on the Malian Government to ensure the protection of fundamental human rights and freedom of expression to peaceful demonstrations, including in the context of the ongoing state of emergency,” said a UN statement. (AFP)

Sissoko