Albino girl, five, abducted and killed in Mali
Angry villagers have set fire to police headquarters after a
five-year-old girl with albinism was abducted and killed by armed men in
Mali.
Djeneba Diarra, who lived in a village in Fana, 125km (78
miles) north of the capital Bamako, was taken from the courtyard where
she was sleeping with her mother and sister in the early hours of Sunday
morning.
The little girl's headless body was later found beside the mosque.
"We
demand justice. Her head was taken. This is a ritual crime," activist
Mamadou Sissoko told news agency AFP after going to the scene.
Witnesses
said angry villagers then partially burned down the paramilitary police
headquarters. Shops remained closed for most of Monday as protests
continued, according to Studio Tamani [in French].
There are concerns the killing may be linked to Mali's presidential election, which is taking place at the end of July.
There
is a belief among some groups in parts of Africa that potions made from
the body parts of people with albinism can bring good luck and wealth.
Mr
Sissoko said: "Every time there are elections, we become prey for
people who want to make ritual sacrifices. This is not the first time
this has happened in Fana.
"The state needs to take up its responsibilities."
BBC
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