Mali’s Interim President Beaten Unconscious by Protesters
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(BAMAKO, Mali) — Protesters in the West African country of Mali showed their contempt Monday for the ruling junta’s pick of interim president by storming his palace in the capital of Bamako and beating Dioncounda Traore unconscious.
Ironically, it was a pro-junta mob involved the riot. Meanwhile, some of the demonstrators were slain by bodyguards protecting Traore, who was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Mali has been in upheaval since a military coup two months ago. The military rulers had just finished making a deal with regional African leaders last weekend to select Traore as interim president until formal elections can be set up.
Many in Mali oppose the bloc of West African leaders, known as ECOWAS, for interfering in their national affairs.
President Amadou Toumani Toure was overthrown last March and blamed for failing to equip the military to fight a powerful insurgency in northern Mali.
ECOWAS wants to send 1,500 peacekeepers to maintain order in the country of 14.5 million, but many suspect their efforts will be met with hostility from Mali citizens if the deployment occurs.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio