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BAMAKO, Mali - Mali residents are expressing shock at an attack onthe country's interim president by protesters unhappy with anagreement to let him stay in office for a year. West Africanleaders have condemned the attack and threatened sanctions on thoseit finds responsible for trying to block a return to civiliangovernment, two months after a military coup. Tuesday marks the end of Mali's interim president DioncoundaTraore's initial 40-day mandate. However, the soldiers who ousted the nation's previous leader inMarch signed a deal Sunday with West African regional bloc ECOWAS. The accord keeps Traore in charge for one year to organizeelections. Hundreds protested that agreement Monday in Bamako. They screamed "Down with ECOWAS" and "Mali is asovereign nation. Mali can choose its own president." Protesters broke down the door to Traore's office at the palace andbeat him unconscious after demanding he step down. The interim leader has been released from the hospital where he wastreated for what his staff said were not life-threatening headwounds. Some see Traore as part of a much-disliked political elite. Ashead of the National Assembly, Traore was designated by Mali'sconstitution to take the reins following the military coup. Speaking on state TV Monday night, interim Prime Minister CheikhModibo Diarra said what happened was shameful. He called on thosewho took to the streets to stop protesting. He said vandalism andlooting are not what the country needs right now. Banks were closed in Bamako Tuesday, fearing further unrest. However, the capital was calm. Malians, even those opposed to the ECOWAS decision, expressed shockand dismay at Monday's attack. Diakite Boubacar says they should respect the institution of thepresidency. He says it is a question of Mali's honor. He says hedoesn't want Traore to stay in power, but he is against the attack. He says they can deal with this situation without physicallyattacking him. Suspicion has fallen on pro-junta soldiers who may have helpedprotesters enter the palace. Bamako resident Fadala Toure asks how could a protest that began at9 a.m. on the other side of the city wind up at the presidentialpalace? She says she doesn't understand how people could havegotten inside to assault the president. ECOWAS says it is investigating how the attack could take placedespite security at the palace. The bloc also says it will imposesanctions against those it finds to be orchestrating unrest aimedat derailing the return to constitutional order. U.N. Security Council representatives, on a visit to Ivory CoastMonday, reiterated their support for ECOWAS efforts in Mali. Geraud Araud, France's permanent representative to the UnitedNations, says ECOWAS' diplomatic efforts have been conducted with alot of courage, perseverance and determination to find a solutionbased on the departure of the military junta. He says he doesn'twant to say that these efforts have now failed but they have beenput in considerable danger by these latest developments. He saysit may be necessary to consider other avenues. The accord that junta leader Captain Amadou Sanogo signed withECOWAS Sunday gives him the status and privileges of a former headof state. However, it is unclear what role he will play in theyear to come. The captain continued to exercise considerableinfluence even after Traore's interim government was put in placeApril 12. Northern Mali remains in the hands of armed groups that seizedpower in the days following the coup, effectively cutting thecountry in half. ECOWAS has offered to deploy regional peacekeepers to Mali. Thenation's military, already unable to halt the rebellion in thenorth earlier this year, is in shambles following the coup.Analysts say the situation in the north is unlikely to change inthe near future. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as China Promotional USB Drives , Bespoke USB Flash Drives, and more. For more , please visit Metal USB Drives today!
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