Article brought to you by: Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
West African leaders to meet broiling Mali crisis
By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
May 3rd, 2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
May 3rd, 2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
West African leaders have gathered to discuss the worsening crisis in
Mali. Soldiers who overthrew an elected government in March repelled an
attempt to restore civilian rule earlier this week.
The ECOWAS has been mediating for a return to civilian rule in Mali since the coup in March. The junta has since handed power to a transitional government, even while its troops remain highly visible.
Tension within the nation has been on the rise since soldiers loyal to ousted former Mali President Amadou Toumani Toure attempted to stage a counter coup this week.
At least 22 people have reportedly been killed in fighting between Toure's loyalists and soldiers behind the earlier coup. Shortly after the attempted coup, gunfire was again heard in the tense capital Bamako on Wednesday.
The leader of the March coup has blamed the counter-coup on "foreign elements backed by dark forces from inside the country."
Interim Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra said in a televised statement, "We have witnessed an attempt to destabilize the country these last 48 hours, which resulted in a temporary, not yet complete, victory for our army and our security forces.
"There are still some civilian and armed elements on the loose, which justifies the massive presence of our armed and security forces in the city of Bamako."
The prime minister says there was "A persistence . in attempts to destabilize the country" but told citizens: "Stay calm, there is no reason to panic."
The United Nations Special Representative for West Africa Said Djinnit condemned the latest violence, which he said "could only serve to complicate an already difficult transition."
Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Djibril Bassole, whose country has played a key role in negotiations with the coup leaders, said the offensive launched earlier this week was an "unfortunate incident."
But it "does not undermine the institutions. The interim president is still in place, the institutions remain in place," he said.
While the military junta is technically no longer in power, it has made its influence felt.
Mali, a drought-stricken region, has long been plagued by arms and drug trafficking and kidnappings. Leaders fear the area will soon become a haven for fighters planning attacks across the region.
© 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.