Monthly Archives: April 2012

Gunfire across the Niger, again

Posted on April 30, 2012 by brucewhitehouse

6:40 p.m. GMT: For the first time since the coup last month, we hear the sound of shots coming from the north. So far some heavy machine gun fire and booms. The gunfire lasts about two minutes then falls silent. … Continue reading →

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ECOWAS screws the pooch

Posted on April 29, 2012 by brucewhitehouse

Last week Mali’s political scene appeared to be moving in the right direction. Prime Minister Diarra’s transitional government was finally named, and the CNRDRE junta in Kati was keeping relatively quiet, having gone several days without arresting anyone. Even the … Continue reading →

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Hail the newcomers

Posted on April 26, 2012 by brucewhitehouse

On Wednesday, after days of delay, the composition of Prime Minister Cheikh Modibo Diarra’s government was finally announced. Like the prime minister himself, most of the cabinet ministers selected are outsiders to Bamako’s political scene, and could not be easily … Continue reading →

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Life goes on amid crisis

Posted on April 24, 2012 by brucewhitehouse

It’s the hot season in Bamako. How hot is it? When you turn on the cold water tap, you get hot water. That’s how hot it is. Power outages are still a daily occurrence in town, but for the last … Continue reading →

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Catch and release

Posted on April 20, 2012 by brucewhitehouse

Just a few days ago, many observers outside Mali believed that the CNRDRE junta responsible for ousting President Amadou Toumani Touré (ATT) last month had departed the political scene, having handed control of the state to a civilian government. Events … Continue reading →

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On the junta for enemies

Posted on April 17, 2012 by brucewhitehouse

On Tuesday we started hearing about the arrests. Former prime minister and presidential candidate Modibo Sidibé was taken from his home Monday night by soldiers and brought to the military base in Kati, where the CNRDRE junta is headquartered. This … Continue reading →

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Is Bamako back to normal?

Posted on April 16, 2012 by brucewhitehouse

There’s an adjective I use a lot lately in describing life in post-coup Bamako. That adjective is “normal.” Walking or driving through the city’s neighborhoods, and talking with its residents, one can be surprised by just how little seems amiss. … Continue reading →

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Vigilante democracy

Posted on April 12, 2012 by brucewhitehouse

March 21, 2012, 3:00 p.m.: A band of army mutineers in the garrison of Kati launches an assault on Koulouba, the presidential palace overlooking Bamako. With armored vehicles, automatic weapons and rocket launchers, they target the executive residence, forcing President … Continue reading →

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Captain Sanogo stays in the picture

Posted on April 10, 2012 by brucewhitehouse

Over the long weekend in Mali (Easter Monday was a day off for schools and offices here), the country’s process of transition from military to civilian constitutional power was officially launched. President Amadou Toumani Touré appeared on state television on … Continue reading →

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Light at the end of the tunnel?

Posted on April 7, 2012 by brucewhitehouse

It had been rumored to be taking shape for more than 24 hours, and finally on Friday night came the official announcement: Mali’s ruling CNRDRE junta has signed an agreement with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to … Continue reading →

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