To say that the Heads of State of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have returned from the United Nations General Assembly more divided than ever is an understatement. After the summit of the Organization held in New York, on the sidelines of this General Assembly on the issues of transitions in Mali and Guinea and on the 49 Ivorian soldiers detained in Mali, considered by Bamako mercenaries and elements of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Mali ( MINUSMA) from others.
Indeed, the statements on this last question by the Ivorian soldiers, before the start of the summit, already foreshadowed the climate in which the debates would take place. It all started with a diplomatic offensive from the Ivory Coast which certainly forced the UN Secretary General to declare that the Ivorian soldiers held by the Malian authorities were not mercenaries. Following him is the current president of ECOWAS, the Bissau-Guinean Umaro Sissocco Embalo who has clearly taken a stand. This angered Bamako that he didn’t miss the chance to deliver the blows he had been careful to prepare. Alassane Ouattara and Bazoum Mohamed each received spades from the interim Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Guinea also did not digest the decision to adopt sanctions against it. Furthermore, Conakry did not hesitate to call the president of ECOWAS “guignol” after declaring that the delay of three years for the duration of the transition wanted by the Guinean authorities was “unacceptable”. Conakry had just poured the porridge onto the floor by putting both feet on the plate.
At the decision of the UN Security Council to keep MINUSMA in Mali for another year, Bamako did not refuse. But it has imposed its conditions which are not “negotiable”. Because Mali, more than ever, wants to assume its destiny. The Nigerian president has been called a “foreigner in Niger”. Against France, Bamako was well prepared to provide proof of Paris’ support for armed terrorist groups. Unfortunately, the Malian delegation did not have plenty of time to present this evidence. But, in Bamako, we don’t give up. Paris is no longer welcome on Malian soil, which left Barkhane with its forces. Because Paris is a “junta in the service of obscurantism”.
It is a completely disorganized West Africa on political and governance issues in member countries, which has returned from the UN. Simply because he brought his problems there, believing that he would find solutions there. The courageous positions of Mali and Guinea on this occasion are proof, once again, that in Africa there is a real awakening of consciences. Where young people, even inexperienced ones, no longer want to be imposed visions that are no longer theirs. In other words, the new African era is well underway.
Dabaoué Audrianne KANI
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