Malian soldiers are celebrated as they arrive at the Independence square in Bamako on August 18, 2020. - Mali's Prime Minister Boubou Cisse called on August 18, 2020, for "fraternal dialogue" with soldiers who seized a key military garrison and have triggered fears of a coup attempt. The prime minister also admitted that the soldiers may have "legitimate frustrations". Details of the events in Mali remain unclear. But according to witnesses and officials, soldiers seized an important army base in the town of Kati, near the capital Bamako, on the morning of August 18, 2020. (Photo by MALIK KONATE / AFP) (Photo by MALIK KONATE/AFP via Getty Images)
The West Africa regional body, Ecowas, has condemned what it called a mutiny in Mali and has called on soldiers to return to their barracks.
This comes after gunfire erupted inside a military base near the capital Bamako.
Ecowas reiterated its opposition to any unconstitutional change of power.
It is not yet clear how many soldiers took part in the incident which according to some reports was fuelled by a pay dispute.
The unrest coincides with opposition calls for more protests demanding the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubakar Keita.
There is widespread anger at the worsening security situation with jihadist and communal violence on the increase, corruption and the mismanagement of the economy.
BBC.COM
