<p><a href="https://www.okayafrica.com/mali-elections-to-continue-depsite-coronavirus-in-africa/" target="_self"><u><em><strong>READ: Malians Heading to Voting Polls Despite Coronavirus Outbreak.</strong></em></u></a></p><p>The political crisis in the Western country continues to deepen. This past weekend, a bloody protest erupted in Bamako where security forces fired live rounds in an attempt to disperse protesters—some of whom had occupied state buildings according to <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/07/calls-calm-mali-gov-criticised-response-protests-200713092657817.html" target="_blank"><u><em><strong>Aljazeera</strong></em></u></a>. Footage captured some of the protesters erecting barricades with burning tyres to block a main road. The same group of protesters were also seen attempting to take over two main bridges in the city which subsequently led to the clashes with security forces.<br></p><p><div class="preroll-video"></div><ora-player></ora-player></p><p>The representatives of the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU) and African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) released a statement this past weekend on Sunday condemning the use of force on the protesters and urging dialogue.</p><p>President Keita, who has been in power since 2013, has not yet resigned despite the mounting public discontent over a perceived failure to address the country's security and economic problems, <a href="https://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL5N2EJ03Q" target="_blank"><u><em><strong>Reuters</strong></em></u></a> reports. His son has, however, recently <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/14/africa/mali-protests-intl/index.html" target="_blank"><u>stepped down from his position as </u><u>head of parliament's defence committee</u></a> according to <em><strong>CNN</strong></em>. </p><p>Additionally, approximately 20 opposition figures and protest leaders <a href="https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/africa/2020-07-14-detained-mali-protest-leaders-freed-after-three-days-of-unrest/" target="_blank">have since been released from prison by Malian authorities</a>. The West African country has been engulfed by conflict since 2012 and 600 civilians have been killed thus far this year.</p><p><div class="dfp_atf-slot" data-not-loaded="true"></div><script type="text/javascript">
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