The cause of death was not yet clear.

Keita, known as IBK, ran the West African country from September 2013 to August 2020, a turbulent period that saw a violent Islamist insurgency take over large areas of the centre and north, helping drain his popularity.

He was forced out by a military coup after months of anti-government protests.

A former advisor said he died at home in the capital Bamako.

(Reporting By Tiemoko Diallo, Writing by Edward McAllister, Editing by Angus MacSwan)