Several Malian ministers participated, from Friday January 13, in ceremonies celebrating the “rediscovered sovereignty of Mali” but it is this Saturday January 14 which is officially “unemployed and paid” throughout the territory, in memory of the massive mobilization which took place just a year ago, when Malians took to the streets of the country to protest against the economic sanctions then imposed by ECOWAS.
These economic sanctions imposed by ECOWAS were intended to force the transitional government to propose a timetable for the return to constitutional order. Since then, ECOWAS has lifted its sanctions, but Bamako intends to make this date a symbol.
No large gathering is organized, officially for security reasons, but local initiatives do take place. ” Activities were organized over two days, indicates Daouda Doumbia, director of the Mopti academy (center). Activities began with the facilitation of a model lesson in schools on patriotism, sovereignty, national resistance and the rebuilding of the state. Still in the schools, we also organized a competition on the same themes. Questions were submitted to schoolchildren who then received a gift. There was blood donation activity at the hospital in Mopti as well as prayers in mosques and places of worship for the stability of the country and for the transitional authorities.
This [samedi] morning, we started the day with the rise of colors in the governorate. The celebration of this day is a source of pride for all Malians. Mali is my country, my homeland and I recognize everything that our authorities are doing to ensure the economic development of the country. »
“ The Malian state does not control 80 % of national territory »
A pride that not all Malians share. No celebrations were held in areas beyond state control. And for opponents of the current transition regime, there is no reason to celebrate either, in any case. ” From a security point of view, we cannot speak of rediscovered sovereignty, considers Ismaël Sacko, president of the African Democratic Socialist Party (PSDA) and vice-president of the Jigiya Kura platform. Today, the Malian state does not control 80% of the national territory. With the Malian military junta in power, we are losing more and more ground. »
“Our country was forced to deal with Wagner’s mercenaries. When the security of the country is handled by mercenaries paid with billions, we cannot speak of regained sovereignty, continues Ismaël Sacko. When part of the population is hungry – we are now at more than five million Malians who cannot feed themselves – we cannot speak of regained sovereignty. ! So for us, it’s a decoy, it’s a bluff and, once again, propaganda on the part of the military junta in power in Mali, which wants to surf on a so-called nationalist feeling in order to be able to stay in power. . Because even today, we have the feeling that they have no real desire to hand over the baton on the date agreed with the regional organization of ECOWAS. »
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