Thousands protest in Mali against African neighbors’s sanctions against junta (photos)

Thousands of people in the colors of the national flag, red, yellow and green, protested and sang at the rally organized by the military government, according to the AFP network.

A large crowd had also gathered in the northern city of Timbuktu, as well as the southern ones Kadiolo and Buguni.
The leaders of the West African Community decided to sanction the Mountain last week by closing the borders.

The decision was later backed by the US, the EU as well as France, the country’s former colonial power.

The development came after the ruling military junta proposed to lead for five years before the election.

International powers had demanded the organization of a popular vote in February.

The ruling authorities called the sanctions “extreme” and “inhumane” and called for demonstrations.

The current leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, who came to power with the coup in August 2020, urged the people of Mali to “defend the homeland”.

The development came after the ruling military junta proposed to lead for five years before the election.