On 19 January 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued a Demonstration Alert regarding upcoming planned protests, which reads in part as follows:

“Events: A demonstration is planned for Wednesday, January 20 at 2 pm. The demonstration will be held at the Monument de l’Indépendance. The purpose of this demonstration is to demand the removal of French “Barkhane” forces deployed in Mali. This demonstration has not yet been approved by the host government.

“A second demonstration is planned for Thursday, January 21 at 2 pm. This demonstration will be held in Djelibougou, near Restaurant Savannah. The purpose of this demonstration is to call for the release of activist Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, also known as Ras Bath, from prison. This demonstration has not been approved by the host government.

“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.”

The full text of the Alert is available here.