Gunfire belonged to Mali army base as embassy warns of possible trouble

BAMAKO (Reuters) – Gunfire was heard on Tuesday at an army base outside Mali’s capital Bamako, as the Norwegian embassy and security sources said a possible wall was under way.

Local residents and security sources said there were guns at the army base in Kati, about 15 km (9 miles) outside Bamako, where a wall led to a coup in 2012, although it was not immediately clear who ‘ t shot on again.

A source dealing with security for non-governmental organizations in Mali said gunfire was also heard at the prime minister’s office.

Kalifa Naman, a senior official at state television ORTM, said her headquarters had been evacuated. There have been no reports of a single attack on state TV, which has yet to broadcast recorded programming, as usual.

“The embassy has been notified of a problem in the army and troops are on their way to Bamako. “Norwegians should exercise caution and preferably stay at home until the situation is clear,” the Norwegian embassy said in a warning to its citizens.

‘Yes, aunt. The army has taken up arms, “said a security source.

A military spokesman confirmed the shooting had taken place at Kati base, but said he had no further information.

Opponents of the current president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, have led mass protests since June to call on Keita to dismiss what they say are his failures to restore security and tackle corruption.

At least 14 people have been killed in protests, according to the United Nations and human rights activists.

Regional forces worry that any prolonged unrest of the protests could spark the fight against Islamist militants in the region, many of whom are central in Mali. Their presence has made large areas of central and northern Mali ungovernable.

Keita had hoped that concessions to opponents and recommendations from a mediating delegation of regional leaders would help stave off the tide of discontent.

In a message to its citizens on Thursday morning, the French embassy in Bamako said: “Due to serious unrest in the morning, August 18, in the city of Bamako, it is immediately recommended to stay home.”

The 2012 mutiny at the base led to a coup that killed then-President Amadou Toumani Toure and contributed to the fall of northern Mali to jihadist militants. (This story refiles to correct Mali’s spelling in first paragraph)