Mali protests roar back after break for Eid

Thousands of protesters are once again on the streets of the Malian capital, Bamako, calling on the country’s president, Ibrahim Boubakar Keïta, to step down.

They’re angry at worsening jihadist violence and the level of corruption in the country.

Several huge anti-government protests were held in June and July but opposition activists temporarily suspended the action during the Eid celebrations.

As part of a regional effort to end the political crisis, five African presidents visited the country last month and called for the setting up of a government of national unity.

But the protest movement, which is led by a conservative Imam Mahmoud Dicko, rejected the proposal.

The visiting heads of state last month also called for the appointment of new constitutional judges – nine were sworn in on Monday.