The photos of several alleged, military and civilian conspirators appear this Masse media on Monday, including the newspaper Dawn. Photos visible on the site Maliweb. We see the two generals accused of attempted coup, Abass Dembélé and Nema Sagara, several superior officers, non-commissioned officers and … a French national. An officer stationed at the French Embassy, suspected by the Malian authorities to work on behalf of the French intelligence services.
« The signals are clear, exclaim Dawn: official France, by its diplomatic relays and its media levers, tries to reactivate its networks, to sow doubt, to divide the patriotic forces. She wants to reconquer the lost territories, not sentimentally, but politically. But Emmanuel Macron’s France comes up against a new reality, still launches the Malian daily life : Populations no longer want guardianship. They want partners, not supranational masters removing local wrenches ».
« The help offoreign states »
The Malian authorities came out of their silence at the end of last week. She spoke on the dozens of military arrests in recent days, accused of wanting to overthrow power.
« In his press release, note Young Africathe junta announced “the arrest of a group of marginal elements of the armed forces of Malian security”, which, according to her, was to “destabilize the institutions of the Republic. These soldiers and civilians” would have obtained “the help of foreign states”, accuses the Malian government ». Including France, therefore …
France which reacted by denouncing ” Based accusations “And who says that a” dialogue is underway with Bamako to dispel any misunderstanding “And get the” release without delay From the arrested officer.
Relations at the bottom …
CommentaryAfrik.com : « This new diplomatic crisis is part of a context of growing distrust between Bamako and Paris. Since the breakdown of military cooperation with France and the rapprochement of Mali with new partners such as Russia, bilateral relations are at its lowest. The arrest of this French officer may well mark a new turning point in this showdown, both diplomatic and ideological ».
Furthermore, continues Afrik.com« Until now, the Malian government has given little details on the arrests in progress. If the authorities have recognized the involvement of civilians and soldiers in this supposed conspiracy, they have not yet presented convincing evidence to support their claims. (…) The vagueness therefore persists around the exact nature of this affair ».
And the Pan -African site to wonder: ” Is it a real plot against the Malian state or an internal communication operation to tighten the ranks around military power? In the absence of public evidence, the international community remains cautious, while Paris insists on respecting diplomatic rules ».
Prudence…
In any case, insists daily life Today in Ouagadougou, ” The arrest of conspirators in which there is a Frenchman, which is more a soldier, brings up to date the execerable relations between the ex-French and the ancient metropolis. Since the forced departure of Barkhane, everything has been cut between France and Mali, political and security », Points the Burkinabé daily. “” Quest for real sovereignty, rupture with the rejects of neocolonialism and all the slag of the Incanable Françafrique, accusations against Paris not to play a great game in cooperation especially security with Mali: everything related to a gesture or an action by the French authorities feels sulfur. The spring of confidence broke between France and Mali, and more generally the Sahel. So when the name of a Frenchman is cited in this kind of case ofTat, everything becomes sensitive. France has understood this and plays caution (…) ».
Et Today to wonder: “ Will Mali release the French officer, or will there be a trial, since justice has seized the file? What will Mali’s response be the request of the French authorities? »