On the occasion of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, Prime Minister PMI, Head of Government of Mali, held a speech followed by general debate which will remain in the memories of Africans and the international community as a turning point in the country's relations with France, its former colonizing power. But if this speech is thundering, it contains less objective evidence beyond the accusations. Decryption.
Shortly after the usual formalities concerning greetings, Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, Acting Prime Minister, did not do anything else. From the outset, he attacked the burning issue of the moment between Ivory Coast and Mali in these terms: "Friendship based on sincerity, allow me to express to you my deep disagreement following your recent media outing, during which you take a position and express yourself on the affair of the 46 Ivorian mercenaries, which is a bilateral and judicial affair between two brotherly countries. It is obvious that the judicial qualification of the offenses related to this case does not fall within the remit of the Secretary General of the United Nations. In Mali, our administration does not work on the basis of orality, nor press statements, therefore, we strictly adhere to the Note Verbale of MINUSMA, reference: MINUSMA/PROT/NV/226/ 2022 of July 22, 2022, in which it is clear that there are no links between the 46 mercenaries and the United Nations. The recent synchronizations of actions and the harmonization of the elements of language consisting in passing Mali from the status of victim to that of culprit in this affair of the mercenaries, are without effect".
Concerning this affair which never ceased to poison relations between these two brotherly countries of West Africa, linked both by geography and by history, the military junta in power thought it had an excellent way of pressure on its giant neighbour, condemned to shame by the putschists in Bamako. Who discovered the destinies of redeemers of the former Empire of Mali and pioneers of the liberation of the sub-region from French influence.
To the current Presidency of ECOWAS
The President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who had just been elected current president of the Community of West African States (ECOWAS), did not even have time to breathe armchair. The address will have been formal and blunt. As if the military junta in power in Mali, which derives its power from no popular legitimacy, wanted to give lessons in governance and codes of good conduct to a President of the Republic of a country of the community of which it is an integral part, which he, on the other hand, was elected according to democratic standards and the will of his people.
Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, designating the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, declared in particular: "As regards the current Chairman of ECOWAS, Mr. Umaro Sissoco Embalo who affirms: "we have just seen yesterday, the statement of the Secretary General of the United Nations who said that they are not mercenaries. I, in place of the Malians, would have released these 49 soldiers". principle of mimicry. Also, it is important to clarify to him that the Secretary General of the United Nations is not a Head of State and the current President of ECOWAS is not a civil servant. Therefore, it would be appropriate that it does not trivialize ECOWAS. Finally, it is useful to remind the current President of ECOWAS that in Mali, the authorities do not interfere in judicial cases and respect the independence of justice. So, we have no vocation to arrest or release, this is part of the judicial function. Also, Mr. Umaro Sissoco Embalo must be aware of the fact that he is the custodian of a heavy legacy and several sacrifices that have made the reputation of this Organization. The momentum that made ECOWAS great must not be broken. Furthermore, we have taken note of the threat of sanctions made against Mali, and far from being impressed by sanctions, I would like to point out to the President-in-Office of ECOWAS that at the end of his mandate, the peoples of the West-Africans will judge him on the efforts he has made to improve the living conditions of the populations and not on the media shows serving foreign agendas”.
To President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger
Mali and Niger are much more than neighboring countries. All you have to do is look at the populations that make up the two countries and their similarities in many respects. President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger has never made a secret of the fact that political power must be acquired and exercised through the ballot box. We remember the rest that, faced with the socio-political crisis in Mali, against the background of coups d'Etat, he was not asked to declare during a summit with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris: “We must not allow the military to take power because they have setbacks on the front where they should be and that the colonels become ministers or heads of state (…) Who will go to war in their place? ? It would be easy if each time an army of our countries has a failure on the ground, it comes to take power! This is what happened twice in Mali (...) These are not acceptable things”.
But from there, that a government of a neighboring and brother country, in this case that of the military junta chaired by Colonel Assimi Goïta, decides to attack President Mohamed Bazoum, it can indeed happen. But one can only be surprised, as instead of talking about its policy, a government speaks not of the Nationality of the President of the Republic of the neighboring country but rather of his origins.
“As for Mr. Bazoum, he will notice that the Transitional Government has so far never reacted to his insulting remarks for two cumulative reasons. The first reason is to respect the heritage left by our ancestors, which consists in not responding to insults with insults. The second reason relates to the identity of Mr. Bazoum, the foreigner who claims to be from Niger. We know that the Nigerien people, brother of Mali, are distinguished by very rich societal, cultural and religious values. Mr. Bazoum is not a Nigerien, his behavior totally comforts us in our observation”.
All Nigeriens know that President Mohamed Bazoum is of Nigerien nationality. But that he is of origins that are not from Niger, there is no reason for personal attack. How many Malians of Nationality have Malian origins one could retort. By taking up the anthem of a certain Nigerien opposition on its own, the Transitional government has taken a road trip that has gone too far. And he could deprive himself of it without it undermining his animosity towards President Mohamed Bazoum.
About France and the fight against terrorism
“The world will remember that after being abandoned mid-flight, on June 10, 2021, by France, which unilaterally decided to withdraw the Barkhane force from Mali, my country was then stabbed in the back by the French authorities. Precision is all the more useful as we refuse any confusion with the French people whom we respect.
The French authorities, deeply anti-French for having denied universal moral values and betrayed the heavy humanist heritage of the Enlightenment philosophers, have transformed themselves into a junta at the service of obscurantism.
Obscurantism of the nostalgic French junta of neocolonial, condescending, paternalistic and revanchist practice, which sponsored and premeditated unprecedented, illegal, illegitimate and inhuman sanctions of ECOWAS and UEMOA against Mali. After more than 10 years of insecurity having caused thousands of deaths, as many refugees and internally displaced persons, is it not a sacrilege to put a Malian population victim of insecurity in a landlocked country under embargo for 7 months?, by closing the borders and seizing the financial accounts of Mali?
Thanks to its resilience and the solidarity of friendly countries and African peoples, the Malian people held out and thwarted the predictions of their adversaries.
Obscurantism of the French junta which was guilty of exploiting ethnic disputes, forgetting so quickly its responsibility in the genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda, also guilty of desperately trying to divide the Malian children of the same family.
Finally, the obscurantism of the French junta, which violated Malian airspace by flying aerial vectors such as drones, military helicopters and fighter planes, more than fifty times, by providing information, arms and ammunition to terrorist groups.
In order to give itself a clear conscience, the French junta accuses Mali of not having been grateful, gargling about the regrettable deaths of 59 French soldiers in Mali, during various counter-terrorism operations. To this sad accusation, we recall that in the majority of interventions by Malian officials and ceremonies, we systematically pay tribute to all the victims of insecurity in Mali without distinction of nationality, therefore, including the 59 French deceased. Also, we invite them not to stop on such a good path and to go back in time, going through their intervention in Libya decried by all of Africa, without forgetting the forced participation of thousands of Africans in the 1st and Second World War, without forgetting the slave trade which explains the economic development of many countries. How many Africans have died for France and the free world in which we live?”
Accusations and attacks in order are without appeal. Right or wrong. France most certainly has its share of responsibility in the situations mentioned. But it is unskillful to do so indiscriminately. Or even for unacknowledged purposes even when it is only a question of pure populism.
The Empire of Mali and the evocation of the past
We can note several references to the Malian past, notably through one of its most famous characters in contemporary history, such as Amadou Hampâté Ba. Or even the evocation of the Empire of Mali, Soundiata KEITA, the Charter of Kouroukanfouga. “In the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, the Government of Mali is strongly challenged on the issue of human rights. I would like to emphasize that human rights are above all values embodied by every Malian. Also, the Government of Mali remains determined to respect them and to enforce them, in accordance with its policy of zero tolerance against impunity. And this, out of loyalty to our ancestral values inscribed in the Kouroukanfouga Charter proclaimed in 1236 by the Emperor of Mali Soundiata KEITA. Mali, cradle of great civilizations, heir to great empires, land of mixing, hospitality and tolerance, makes the promotion and defense of human rights a national priority. This is why I strongly reaffirm that the military operations of the Defense and Security Forces of Mali are conducted with strict respect for human rights and international humanitarian law”.
No one disputes the past greatness of Mali and does not oppose either that it inspires the current rulers. It should not be used only to clear our conscience to justify actions in the name of Mali and which are far from unanimous. Better, the glorious past of Mali should not be used as soothing or guarantee on the demands of Malians vis-à-vis those who govern them.
The reference to Russia speaks for itself
No one doubts that the "valiant Defense and Security Forces of Mali remain determined to face all threats, wherever they come from under the leadership of His Excellency Colonel Assimi GOITA, President of the Transition, Chief of the State, the Government of Mali". No one doubts either that the Russian mercenaries of the Wagner group are cooperating with the military junta in Mali. But what is doubtful is that the Malians are actually aware of the terms or conditions of the relations which bind the authorities of Bamako to Moscow as well as to the Wagner group. And that, no matter how hostile we are to France, we cannot deprive Malians of their right to know. Especially since it is assumed that it is for the same reasons of transparency that the military junta asked France to pack up arms and baggage from Mali with da Force Barkhane.
"Faced with uncertainty and foreign situations, the Malian people adopt a cautious attitude, this is what the writer and sage Amadou Hampâté Ba, highlights, advising in the strange fate of Wangrin that: "If observing is a quality, knowing how to be silent preserves from calamity”. Minister of the French junta, Mali advises you to simply observe its situation.
This is an opportunity for me to salute the exemplary and fruitful cooperation relations between Mali and Russia, while reaffirming that Mali remains open to all partners who wish to help it meet the many challenges that beset it, with strict respect for its sovereignty, its unity and the dignity of the Malian people.
Mali recalls that in accordance with the Vision of Colonel Assimi GOÏTA President of the Transition, Head of State, 3 principles guide national public action:
- Respect for the sovereignty of Mali;
- Respect for the strategic choices and partners made by Mali;
- Consideration of the vital interests of the Malian people in the decisions taken.
In application of these principles, Mali remains ready to pursue and strengthen its good neighborly relations with all the countries around it. Similarly, Mali, faithful to its pan-African commitment, will continue to work within sub-regional and regional organizations for the achievement of African integration.
Also, achieving the objectives of the Transition requires the support of all of Mali's partners, including the United Nations. I therefore call on the friends of Mali to remain mobilized alongside the Government in order to help it meet these important challenges together.
For the vast majority of the States of the World, convinced by mutual respect and win-win partnership, I guarantee them that the doors of Mali are wide open to them and Malians will welcome them with open arms.
For the minority who would be tempted not to respect these principles, we promise them that they will face millions of "Assimi Goïta", anxious to defend their honor, their dignity and their vital interests. I will end by giving two pieces of advice to those nostalgic for domination: have a sense of empathy by "Treating others as you would like to be treated" or by "Not doing to others what you would not like them to do to you. ". The second advice, review your copies, review your models, review your software to integrate the change of mentalities and the evolution of the world into your reading and analysis grids, get out of the colonial past and hear the anger, the frustration, the rejection coming from African cities and countryside, from African populations, and understand that this movement is inexorable. Thanks to the principle of fractal multiplication, your intimidation and your subversive actions have only swelled the ranks of Africans anxious to preserve their dignity, if there were only a hundred at independence, today we are millions and tomorrow, as long as the inegalitarian paradigms remain, we will be billions. Mali and its people will not be spectators in the face of assaults and adversity: for each word used wrongly, we will react by reciprocity, for each bullet fired against us, we will react by reciprocity”.
The rapprochement of the military junta in Mali with Russia is not only due to what could be described as the actions of France in Mali or in its former colonies. He braced himself on a strategy which initially obeyed the will of the military to drag on in power. Which was upset and by the demands of ECOWAS and external partners including France. Consequently, military cooperation and the presence of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group, the strengthening of the Bamako-Moscow axis aims above all to ensure life insurance beyond the political transition. Without respecting the requirements of ECOWAS and the African Union in terms of democratic process. By agreeing to an alternative process to the Vladimir Putin of Russia. Except that Mali is a member country of ECOWAS. The Transition process in Mali should end on March 26, 2024, with the return to a civilian President of the Republic elected by all the Malian people. And this will have to be done in accordance with the timetables agreed with ECOWAS.
By Tcha Sakaro
