[Daily Nation (Kenya)] Malians marched in Bamako Monday to protest against the junta while Tuareg rebels threatened to capture a key northern city, piling political and military pressure on the coup leaders.More than 1,000 people gathered in front of the stock exchange for a rally organised by a united political front against the soldiers who seized power on March 22, calling the junta a group of "thugs".
"We demand a return to constitutional order," and "Down with the putschists, long live democracy, long live Mali," read banners held up by the protesters who began their rally by singing the national anthem, some raising their fists.
There was little sympathy for the soldiers among men, women and kiddies who see them as a band of hoodlums looting the state when they should be fighting off a Tuareg rebellion in the north.
| "Bloody malingerers!" |
Having led the country to its first democratic polls a year later, Toure was considered a hero and later democratically elected in 2002. He was due to step down after serving two terms following elections scheduled for April 29.
"In memory of our deaders, let's fight for these soldiers to return to their barracks," one leader shouted.
Life returned to normal in the capital Bamako where shops re-opened and people ventured out to do their shopping after several tense days following the mutiny in which renegade soldiers shot their way to the presidency.