Since Monday night, the president and prime minister of the transition have been held by soldiers at Kati base, a few kilometers from Bamako. On Tuesday, Colonel Assimi Goïta, Vice President of the Transition and leader of the junta who led the coup in August 2020, released them from their powers. A situation that worries several civil society organizations, as well as the largest trade union center in the country.
On the other hand, if the Malian political class remains cautiously silent, civil society has spoken out. In a statement, the Malian Association for Human Rights “strongly condemns this coup”. Like the National Human Rights Commission, which condemns these illegal and arbitrary arrests and demands the immediate release of the President and Prime Minister, as well as a return to institutional order.
The simple fact of trying to get out of respect for the basic texts is chaos, uncertainty, it is a leap into the void. We are there to fight over issues of position while the country is at the bottom of the abyss.
Aguibou Bouaré, President of the CNDH
The coordination of movements, associations and sympathizers by Imam Mahmoud Dicko declares “to follow the events” and asks “for its base to remain mobilized for all useful purposes”.
The National Union of Workers of Mali repealed its strike slogan. UNTM launched a general strike on Monday after negotiations with the government on salaries, bonuses and benefits failed. The union, which brings together employees from the public and private sectors, does not want to increase workers’ difficulties, even if no negotiations are possible, due to a lack of interlocutors.
As of today, we have no contact. Given this situation, we have decided not to further punish our activists and the general public. And as soon as a new power is in place, we will return to the charge. We do not see in terms of people but in terms of opposites to discuss.
Yacouba Katilé, UN Secretary-General
Former Nigerian President and ECOWAS mediator Goodluck Jonathan arrived in Bamako on Tuesday night to open talks. He must meet the military, representatives of civil society and leaders. But at the moment, nothing is leaking about what is happening in Kati, where the interim president and prime minister were taken.
Bamakois questions the country’s future and transition
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