"N'Daw was Goïta's tutor when he was young. For ten days, they engaged in strained negotiations as operatives involved in the first coup sought to maintain their place in the government.Īccording to reporting by Le Monde, President Bah N'Daw brought his plans to Colonel Goïta, whom he had known all his life. Colonel Goïta, the Vice-President and head of defense and security, was not informed. How did the situation become so grave? What went on behind the scenes that allowed the overthrow of the Malian power structure for a second time in just nine months? As much as IBK's fall had been the culmination of weeks of popular protest, this second coup was a pure power play.Īngered by the growing influence of the military, which has controlled four key ministries since the beginning of the transition period, President Bah N'Daw announced the dissolution of the government on May 14 and reappointed his Prime Minister Moctar Ouane. Just a few days earlier, after a four-hour meeting in Ghana, the West African heads of state decided to suspend Mali from the African Union, reiterating calls for the appointment of a civilian prime minister, while still avoiding the imposition of sanctions. On June 4, French President Emmanuel Macron announced he would halt joint operations with the Malian military. As history repeats itself, the international community has been left both worried and embarrassed, issuing verbal warnings and condemnations. Nine months later, it was the same story all over again, this time with the transitional president. This second coup was hardly led by the people. On August 18, 2020, a group of five colonels, led by Goïta, forced Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, known as "IBK," to resign. While the years-long war against jihadists in northern and central Mali is still far from being won, the military has once again used its resources to intervene in the civilian-political game in Bamako. When politicians slip up, the military responds by going up to Koulouba," said the Colonel. "More than anywhere else, families in Kati see their sons killed in combat. The military camp was built to protect the nearby presidential palace, Koulouba, from enemy invasions, but in reality it is the military camp itself that has become the greatest threat. "You had better not have come here to reveal our military secrets' warns the guard before walking away. On May 28, Colonel Goïta was proclaimed head of state. They, along with several other government officials, have since been released but were forced to resign. However, when transitional President Bah N'Daw formed a new government that excluded two people close to Goïta, the Colonel responded by arresting the transitional President and his Prime Minister Moctar Ouane. In the interim, the mysterious special forces commander became Mali's vice-president. Like the coup nine months ago, this one was also carried out by Colonel Assimi Goïta. In these hills, the birthplace of all Mali "s coups over the years, tensions have remained high since the most recent ousting of the civilian government on May 24. She is soon joined by a soldier on guard duty. "What are you doing here?" scolds a local woman, to an unfamiliar face. On Saturday, May 29, in the village surrounding the military base, just 15 kilometers from the Malian capital, Bamako, strangers are met with suspicions and trepidation. BAMAKO - Camp Soundiata-Keita is well guarded, and so are its secrets.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |