Opposition steps up anti-government protest in Mali

Mali’s opposition has said it will intensify anti-government protests starting Tuesday and culminate in a mass rally on Friday and Saturday.

Representatives of the June 5 Movement (M5) said they had stepped up protests against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.

A series of protests including a women’s march have been planned for this week.

The protests took a break during the Eid festivities and resumed last week but were dispersed with tear gas.

The opposition has blamed the government for economic decline, alleged corruption and a long-running jihadist conflict.

Regional efforts to bring an end to the crisis have failed, with the opposition refusing to compromise on their demand that the president resigns.