They have invaded, quite a symbol, the Independence Square in Bamako, a hotbed of social and political protest that has agitated the country in recent months. But this Friday, the Malians who took to the streets of their capital by the thousands did not come to protest, but to celebrate the coup d’état perpetrated on Tuesday by a military junta, the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), made up of a handful of senior officers respected by their men.
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As weaned from their anger against a regime deemed corrupt and inefficient, the demonstrators celebrated the overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (IBK), whose departure they demanded since early June, and who was forced to resign by the military, two years from the end of his second term. IBK “Is now part of the past”, welcomes Issa Kaou Djim, coordinator of the Cmas, the Coordination of movements, associations and sympathizers of Imam Mahmoud Dicko, figurehead of the protest.
“IBK has agreed to leave”
In the mouths of demonstrators, the term “coup” is often replaced by that of “resignation”, more consensual. And which has the merit, in their eyes, of being constitutional: “Thank goodness it wasn’t a coup! cries Mouna under the arch of the Independence monument. There was understanding, IBK agreed to leave because he said he didn’t want blood to be shed for Mali. The President accompanied the process by resigning and he freed the country. ”
An opinion that Cheick Aliou Soumaré nuances slightly, just as much to the joy of this “New Mali liberated”. “The departure of IBK is not in contradiction with our texts, because the resignation is provided for by our Constitution. The security forces pushed him, forced him, but this method is not unconstitutional, it is not written anywhere! They just encouraged his resignation, so that the people could get what they have been asking for for months: their own freedom ”, he justifies before letting his jubilation burst.
Sign of the convergence between demonstrators and soldiers, several figures of the putsch, including Colonel Malick Diaw and Colonel-Major Ismaël Wagué, spokesperson for the CNSP, participated in the rally. “We have come to thank you, thank the Malian people for their support. We have only completed the work you had started and we recognize ourselves in your struggle ”, launched Ismaël Wagué to the crowd.
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On the large stage erected under the Independence Monument, and on which the leaders of the June 5 Movement (M5-RFP) speak, seats are expensive and a few boxers oppose those who filter access and those who would like to appear there. In the image of MP Mamadou Hawa Gassama, one of the deans of the National Assembly, who has been running for office for the last three decades. Repulsed three times, he shouts at the scandal, while others climb the steps leading to the seats lined up behind the desk.
The stage becomes an arena, where a communication war is waged, the stake of which seems to be a political cake in which everyone wants a share. “We should put more emphasis on the EMK [Espoir Mali Koura]» insisted, a communications officer, who seeks to place the leader of this movement of civil society, the filmmaker and former Minister of Culture Cheick Oumar Sissoko.
ECOWAS, a new enemy
In the crowds, the signs brandished are different from previous demonstrations. The traditional “IBK clears” gave way to slogans against the Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which demands, on pain of sanctions, the return to constitutional order and the immediate reinstatement of President IBK.
Uncompromising, the regional organization seems to have become the new enemy, the new obstacle to be overcome in order to move forward. “We say no to sanctions, because they are not normal, they do not take into account the reality on the ground!” annoys Cheick Oumar Sissoko who, the day before at a press conference, called for “To break the red line of ECOWAS”. “Sanctions, like embargoes, cannot last long, because we too are helping others. We provide no less than 1,000 billion CFA per year [environ 150 millions d’euros] to the Ivory Coast. Fuel, fruits, vegetables, oil: these are Ivorian products. If we are sanctioned, it will be a huge loss of earnings for them ”, launches the leader of the EMK.
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On the Independence Square, Mr. Traoré, 72, begins a dance of joy, says he is filled with hope and proud of this army which brought down the regime. “Today we are liberated and very happy. We are here to celebrate our victory and congratulate the people of Mali for this new era which is opening ”, he rejoices. A new era for Malian youth which, he hopes, will make the country a true democracy weaned from corruption, nepotism and demagoguery.
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