On 13 January 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued a Demonstration Alert regarding a protest planned for 14 January, which reads in part as follows:
“Location: Multiple locations in Bamako
“Event: The Collective for the Defense of the Republic (CDR) is calling for three sit-ins on Thursday, January 14, at 2:00 PM. The purpose of these demonstrations is to demand the release of activist Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, also known as Ras Bath. The sit-ins will occur simultaneously at the following locations: The Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE), Camp 1, and the Commune 3 Tribunal.
“Demonstrations sometimes turn violent, resulting in the burning of tires, clashes with the police, blockage on the roads and bridges, throwing of rocks at vehicles, the deployment of tear gas, and small arms fire.”
