20 killed in inter-ethnic clashes in Mali

Mali Security Minister Salif Traore said about 20 people have been killed in inter-ethnic clashes in central Mali.

The clashes were sparked by the killing of a Bambara businessman allegedly by a Fulani suspect in Cercle de Macina on Saturday.

Traore said 20 people were killed and 18 injured in clashes that lasted for several days.

He said several houses were torched and hundreds of people fled their homes.

“The situation has calmed down and security forces are patrolling the area,’’ Traore said.