Mali: Protesters to gather in Bamako October 28

Event

The US Embassy in Bamako has reported that the High Islamic Council has called for a protest in the city on Wednesday, October 28, to denounce French President Emmanuel Macron after he made comments following the recent killing of school teacher Samuel Paty near Paris in a suspected Islamist attack. Participants are expected to gather at the Grande Mosquée de Bamako from 14:00 (local time).

A heightened security presence should be anticipated in the vicinity of any protests, along with disruptions to overland travel.

Context

Teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded in an attack by an alleged Islamist extremist in the northern Paris suburb of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine on October 16 after showing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad during a civics class. The attack prompted the arrest of a number of people linked to the attacker and comments from President Macron about religious rights and freedom of expression in French society. However, the government's response was seen by some communities as Islamophobic and has prompted a number of protests and calls for boycotts of French goods in some Muslim-majority countries.

Advice

Individuals in Bamako are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate transportation disruptions, and avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution.