Tag Archives: bamako

Catch and release

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

On the junta for enemies

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Captain Sanogo stays in the picture

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 24 Comments

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 38 Comments

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 28 Comments

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments