Humanitarian crisis looms in Mali

Violent unrest resulting from a military coup continues in Mali, where ethnic Tuareg rebels taking advantage of political confusion have seized three northern regional capitals in as many days – including the ancient city of Timbuktu – with the help of Islamic militant groups linked to Al Qaeda.

The African Union has imposed sanctions on Mali's military junta, including a travel ban and asset freeze. The US has also announced visa restrictions on the leaders of last month's coup. Mali is already facing an embargo from the Economic Community of West African States after the junta ignored demands to hand over power.

A spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, Melissa Fleming, says the instability is also creating a humanitarian disaster as refugees flee Mali. “Most tell UNHCR staff that they fled because they were worried about armed robbers and feared there would be more heavy fighting in the north, while some said they left their homes due to lack of food,” said Fleming, adding, “Others told our teams that they decided to leave Mali when hopes for a negotiated peace between the Government and Tuareg rebels in the north faded after the coup.” Listen to our report: