Gunfire belonged to Mali army base as soldiers mutinate outside capital

BAMAKO (Reuters) – Gunfire was heard on Tuesday at an army base outside Mali’s capital Bamako as diplomatic and security sources said a mutiny was on the way.

Local residents and security sources said there was gunfire at the army base in Kati, about 15 km (9 miles) outside Bamako, where a coup in 2012 led to a coup.

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

The scale of the mystery was not immediately clear. A European diplomat said a relatively small number of members of the National Guard, who were apparently angry by a payment operation, had seized an ammunition depot, but were reported to have been surrounded by other government troops since.

A French military source said discussions were taking place between Mali’s army command and the deceivers.

A Malian military spokesman confirmed that gunmen were shot at the base in Kati, but said he had no further information. The office of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita could not be reached for comment.

Government ministry buildings were evacuated, a government official said, and guns were heard at the prime minister’s office, according to a security source.

The offices of state television ORTM were also evacuated, said Kalifa Naman, a senior ORTM official. There have been no reports of a single attack on state TV, which aired pre-recorded programming.

A Bamako resident said armed men had access to two bridges over the Niger River in the city closed. It was not immediately clear who the armed men were.

The effort comes amid the worst political crisis in Mali since the 2012 coup that killed then-President Amadou Toumani Toure and contributed to the fall of northern Mali to jihadist militants.

Keita’s opponents have led mass protests since June to appeal what they say is its failure 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 concessions to opponents and recommendations from a mediating delegation of regional leaders would help stem the tide of discontent, but the protest leaders have rejected proposals to join a government with power-sharing.

The French and Norwegian embassies in Bamako are urging their citizens on Thursday to stay home.

“Due to serious unrest on the morning of August 18, in the city of Bamako, it is immediately recommended to stay home,” the French embassy said.