Mali : What can be salvaged?
Following the Addis Abeba AU summit a new realism seems to be taking hold within Ecowas over the Mali situation. It is clear that before considering what to do to return th North to democratic reunion with the south democracy has to repaired in Bamako.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Mali-What-can-b...
The call by Ecowas for a government of National unity in the south of Mali needs the consent of the Malian auithorities and the people of Mali as does the arrival of the 3,000 troops of the Ecowas standby force. The interim Prime Minister Cheikh Modibo Diarra found that an opposition group called the United Front for the Defence of the Republic and Democracy some 40 parties called for his resignation for "incompetence and amateurishness". As he is a man of substance and ability who was carefully chosen for the post this may be unfair and perhaps he faces the fate of technocrats who face political divisions.
The political situation in Bamako remains split and Captain Sanogo the former coup leader still has a sizeable group of supporters. Despite all the Prime Minister's efforts he seems to be isolated and under fire in Bamako. He has until 30 January to come up with a government of national unity as required by Ecowas.The Interim President Dioncounda Traore is flying back from Paris after two months having been beaten unconscious by a mob who invaded the Presidential palace . This cowardly attack and the way it was allowed to happen with the army allowing the mob to enter the presidential palace does not give a good picture of the political situation in Mali .
Some of the population feels that the interim government was imposed on them and they do not want it.Unless control and leadership can be manifested what was hailed as an exemplary democracy in Africa is in danger of becoming a democratic basket case.
On the positive side the EU has agree to support the sending of the Ecowas force to Mali and at last the Malian military have said they would welcome secutiry assistance according to a report by AFP. The Ecowas force is waiting for a formal invitation from Mali and a UN agreement before it deploys. If it can first secure the situation in Southern Mali so that a stable and reliable government can be put in place hopefully backed with elections then they will be doing well. Hundreds of thousands of displaced refugees on the verge of famine also need support and an assurance that they will see their homes again. They are the victims of the chaotic events unleashed in January and perhapsmore attention should be paid to them by all parties concerned.
The political situation in Bamako remains split and Captain Sanogo the former coup leader still has a sizeable group of supporters. Despite all the Prime Minister's efforts he seems to be isolated and under fire in Bamako. He has until 30 January to come up with a government of national unity as required by Ecowas.The Interim President Dioncounda Traore is flying back from Paris after two months having been beaten unconscious by a mob who invaded the Presidential palace . This cowardly attack and the way it was allowed to happen with the army allowing the mob to enter the presidential palace does not give a good picture of the political situation in Mali .
Some of the population feels that the interim government was imposed on them and they do not want it.Unless control and leadership can be manifested what was hailed as an exemplary democracy in Africa is in danger of becoming a democratic basket case.
On the positive side the EU has agree to support the sending of the Ecowas force to Mali and at last the Malian military have said they would welcome secutiry assistance according to a report by AFP. The Ecowas force is waiting for a formal invitation from Mali and a UN agreement before it deploys. If it can first secure the situation in Southern Mali so that a stable and reliable government can be put in place hopefully backed with elections then they will be doing well. Hundreds of thousands of displaced refugees on the verge of famine also need support and an assurance that they will see their homes again. They are the victims of the chaotic events unleashed in January and perhapsmore attention should be paid to them by all parties concerned.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Mali-What-can-b...