Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


West African Neighbors Seek to Mediate in Mali Crisis

Agence France-Presse

   Envoys from Mali's neighbors led by former Nigerian president Goodluck
   Jonathan were scheduled to arrive in Bamako on Wednesday in a bid to
   mediate in an escalating political crisis ahead of new high-risk
   protests.

   Representatives from the 15-nation Economic Community of West African
   States (ECOWAS) are having to bridge apparently irreconcilable
   differences between President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and a protest
   movement that is demanding his resignation.

   Fresh protests have been set for Friday, a week after demonstrations
   that ignited three days of clashes with the security forces, leaving 11
   dead and 158 injured, according to an official tally-- Mali's bloodiest
   toll from political unrest in years.

.