PHOTOS: Sea of protesters demand Mali president steps down

Tens of thousands of people have once again gathered in Bamako's Independence square for the latest in a series of protests called by the influential and radical Imam, Mahmoud Dicko.

They are calling for President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta to resign because of escalating jihadist and inter-communal violence in the country.

A newly formed coalition of opposition groups, led by Mr Dicko, is calling for political and economic reform, and an end to corruption.

President Keïta pledged earlier this week to form a new unity government that would include members of the opposition.