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Are Malian President Bah N’Daw and his Prime Minister Moctar Ouane doomed? The two men were taken this Monday, May 24, 2021, to the Kati camp, near Bamako, by soldiers near the National Committee for the Salvation of the People, at the beginning of the coup on August 18, 2020. Colonel Assimi Goïta, Vice President of the Transition and CNSP strongman got a press release read on TV where he explained that they had placed the two men “outside their powers”.
To “preserve the transitional charter and defend the republic”, this is the reason given by the soldiers of the CNSP, the junta that had yet to be officially disbanded, to arrest and detain the president of the republic and his prime minister. In any case, this is explained by Assimi Goïta, head of the junta and vice-president of the transition, who accuses the government of Moctar Ouane of not gaining the trust of the social partners and is therefore responsible for the ongoing indefinite strike.
In particular, he criticizes the Prime Minister for compiling the list of his new government, “in accordance with the interim president” but “without consulting the vice president”, that is, himself. And to remember that according to the transitional charter, he is responsible for the country’s defense and security. Colonel Sadio Camara and Modibo Koné, deposed the day before the government, are not mentioned, but their two portfolios, Defense and Security, are mentioned here.
Lots of unanswered questions
Colonel and Vice President Assimi Goïta therefore assures that he was forced to remove the President and the Prime Minister “from their powers”. Should we understand that they are being fired or simply temporarily prevented? Will Colonel Assimi Goïta be the first man in the country? This is in theory forbidden in the transitional charter. Will a new head of state and a new head of government be appointed? It is on all these important questions that the ongoing negotiations will have to answer. It should be noted that the international community has so far avoided the concept of “coup” and prefers the word “coup” as to give these negotiations a chance.
“In addition”, according to the terms of the press release, the Vice-President of the Transition urges Malians to “go about their business” and ensure “that the transition process follows its normal course”, with elections scheduled for next year. According to our information, the Prime Minister and the President are still in Kati, the military stronghold. They are not free to move around. One of them could be visited by his doctor.
It’s sadness and shame. Our country is putting on a show again.
Moussa Mara, former Prime Minister of Mali
Goodluck Jonathan as mediator
ECOWAS mediator for Mali, Nigerian Goodluck Jonathan is expected in Bamako. Meanwhile, the country’s international partners are pounding their fists on the table as they leave the door open to return to the status quo ante.
Monday night, the local monitoring committee met immediately in Bamako. It brings together ECOWAS, the African Union, Minusma, but also France, the European Union and the United States. A source present at this meeting trusts that “the atmosphere is angry”. “They do not realize,” adds this source, “the extent to which they are jeopardizing the support of the international community.” In a press release, this monitoring committee threatens: “the military elements that possess [les autorités retenues à Kati] will be held personally responsible for their safety. “” The international community rejects in advance all acts imposed by force, including forced departures. “
Minusma is still trying to get permission to visit prisoners to ensure the conditions under which they are treated. The European Council, for its part, condemns what it describes as the “kidnapping” of the president and the caretaker Prime Minister and says it is “ready to consider targeted measures” – including a travel ban or a freeze on assets – against “political and military leaders preventing the transition in Mali. “
At the moment, no action yet, this is a threat. The members of the follow-up committee, which therefore brings together Mali’s African and Western partners, also reaffirmed “their strong support for the transitional authorities” and called for “the resumption of the transition and its termination.” France condemned the “coup” and demanded the release of the president and the caretaker Prime Minister. Returning to the conditions set out in the transitional charter, in its duration, to civilians – the president, the prime minister – in power, are such stated goals.
In a joint statement, the African Union and ECOWAS also condemned “an act of extreme gravity” while calling for “privileges of the spirit of dialogue” “to resolve the misunderstandings surrounding the establishment of the government.” Threats and calls from the foot, these are the instruments that ECOWAS mediator for Mali, Goodluck Jonathan, will juggle. He must first meet the international members of the monitoring committee before going to Kati in the evening.
The Presidents of the African Union Commission and ECOWAS are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the barracks authorities.
Ebba Kalondo, Spokeswoman for the President of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat
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