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Author Archives: brucewhitehouse
Light at the end of the tunnel?
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
Brief update for Thursday, April 5
7:00 a.m.: I don’t have much time to write today’s post: power is going to be cut soon, and will remain cut for ten to twelve hours if the past few days are any guide. The state-owned utility companies are … Continue reading
Heading for the exits
Throughout the troubling events of the last two weeks, I have clung to the belief that Mali’s political crisis will be short-lived. Then last night I got some news that underscored the gravity of the present situation: Peace Corps is … Continue reading
Ca va chauffer
There’s a French phrase Ca va chauffer — “It’s going to heat up” — that’s useful for so many occasions, especially in francophone Africa. It can describe the sense of an impending competition between two evenly matched rivals, such as … Continue reading
A tale of two African cities: Bamako and Brazzaville
Post-coup situation update, Monday, April 2: Bamako continues to operate under a veneer of normality, with most businesses and schools open, and both private and state broadcasters airing their regular music and cultural programs. Nobody is fooled by appearances, however: … Continue reading
Brief update for Friday, March 30
I’m due to resume teaching this afternoon after a two-week hiatus, and I cannot get back to my teaching and research responsibilities while keeping up with events in anything approaching real time on this blog. Even assuming that classes remain … Continue reading
The devil they don’t know
Post-coup situation update, Wednesday, March 28: At 10:00 p.m. Tuesday night an army lawyer appeared on ORTM TV and announced that Mali now has a new constitution, composed of 70 articles, which he proceeded to read one by one. This … Continue reading
Mali’s coup leaders: Making it up as they go along
Post-coup situation update, Tuesday, March 27: For many Bamakois, today was the first day back at work since last week’s coup, following yesterday’s holiday commemorating the 1991 ouster of dictator Moussa Traoré. Civil servants had a strong incentive to get … Continue reading
Good riddance, ATT?
[Post-coup situation update for Sunday evening, March 25: Life in Bamako continues to normalize. Fuel stations are open, and new imports of gasoline and diesel have been authorized across Mali’s otherwise sealed borders. I have heard no reports of gunfire … Continue reading
Amadou Sanogo: Power is his middle name
As events have unfolded since Mali’s coup d’état on Thursday, much has come to light concerning the coup’s apparent leader, Captain Amadou Haya Sanogo, President of the Comité Nationale pour le Redressement de la Démocratie et la Restauration de l’Etat … Continue reading
Bridges from Bamako 