Mali: Protesters attack and injure interim president.

Dioncounda Traore the interim president of Mali was scheduled to step down on Monday but an agreement between West African leaders and the recent coup leader Capt. Amadou Sanogo was reached for Traore to stay on for a year and organize elections.

Coup supporters were angered by the deal Protests have been held with the army saying it has shot three people dead. The deal also gave Sanogo perks as leader of a successful coup. He is now recognized as former head of state and given a salary and mansion! Do you hear any howls from the U.S. who trained him?

A journalist in Mali reported that soldiers let some demonstrators into Traore's office. Traore suffered a head wound and was taken to hospital for treatment but later released.

Capt Sanogo led a successful coup on March 22 turfing out the elected president. In reaction the regional bloc ECOWAS suspended Mali from membership. However a deal was reached for Sanogo to turn over power to an interim government under Traore former speaker of the house. The new deal was an extension of Traore's term. The north of the country has been taken over by Tuareg rebels who have declared independence. There are a few U.S. special forces in Mali.

The coup leader complained about lack of action by the government to put down northern rebels who are said to have ties to Islamic militants. ECOWAS has said it will send 3000 troops to help regain the northern territory but not when. One can expect continued bloodshed in Mali against northern rebels with the support of the U.S. who accuse some in the north of being tied to Al Qaeda. For more see this article.