Nothing much to report on around here...
Oh...there was a military coup last Wednesday!
Oh...there was a military coup last Wednesday!
No big deal.
Wait...a COUP? Is that what I said?
Wait...a COUP? Is that what I said?
(In case you don't know, a coup is an overthrow - it's a French word).
If you haven't heard by now about the military coup in Bamako, Mali, you probably need to start looking at your RSS feeds (or setting them up) and reading the news...
If you haven't heard by now about the military coup in Bamako, Mali, you probably need to start looking at your RSS feeds (or setting them up) and reading the news...
It's a pretty big deal.
Coup d'état: a term I learned and studied over and over in school, particularly in my European History class as we studied the French. Never did I imagine that I would live amidst one. Never did I imagine hearing gunshots through the streets as the military rushed to take control of the government.
Coup d'état: a term I learned and studied over and over in school, particularly in my European History class as we studied the French. Never did I imagine that I would live amidst one. Never did I imagine hearing gunshots through the streets as the military rushed to take control of the government.
Meanwhile, I'm stuck between overwhelmingly excitement to be here and experience history in the making, and then an anxious feeling to get out of Mali as fast as I can, just in case. I like to take precautions. For the record, however, I have felt 100% safe at all times and we have so many people here that are watching out for us and put our safety above their own. Thank you, Marissa and Yeah, you have been so good to Kyle and I during our time here - I think of you as my own family. Love you guys!
Sorry, this post is a little late in the coming but I'm getting there!
I've been back and forth the last few days trying to ensure my safety...
Long story short
(let's see if that's possible) -
(let's see if that's possible) -
I was downtown Bamako Wednesday afternoon, March 21, when I heard news of the military instability and potential coup. We headed home, unconcerned, but little did we know what would happen in the coming hours...it's crazy how things can change so quickly.
Here's what happened:
On Wednesday morning, Malian military troops at their base camp in Kati (just outside of Bamako), were visited by a new Defense Minister. They quickly became upset because they have not received enough weapons, or food, to match the power and control of the nomadic Tuareg rebels in the North. Because of this situation, there are about 180,000 Malian refugees displaced and without food, shelter, and other basic needs. Many have died due to the situation in the north as well.
After the unfriendly visit of the Defense Minister, the military quickly seized the military base and then marched to the presidential palace in Bamako. They looted the place and riddled the cars and building with bullets. The coup was very spontaneous and not very well-planned, in my opinion. For a while, the whereabouts of President Amadou Toumani Touré (ATT) were unknown but they are now saying they have him and he is safe. Wednesday afternoon, Yeah was actually downtown finishing a meeting when he saw the military, led by Captain Amadou Aya Sanogo, surround the national TV station, ORTM. They shot into the air. Soon after, TV and radio stations were shut down and they took control. The military quickly surrounded the central parts of Bamako, and later the neighboring areas of Bamako as well, making it difficult to go anywhere. They quickly captured several other high-ranking government officials, looted their homes and other government buildings, as well as random local offices. All throughout the evening and throughout the next 2 days, we could hear residential gunfire as the military shot their guns in the air, making their presence known.
At 4:00 am on Thursday morning, the military troops, under the name of National Committee for the Reestablishment of Democracy and the Restoration of the State, or CNRDR, came on ORTM to explain their intentions. They advised that temporary military rule was in place and issued a military curfew between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm (it's all day, every day for American citizens...). At 11:00 am, they issued another statement to reaffirm their intentions and indicated that a temporary government would be put in place on March 27. As they took control, all airports and borders were shut down. Throughout the last few days, during "down" time, they have been playing movies on national TV - in Bambara (the national language), when everything is usually in French. On Friday evening, the soldiers were ordered to stop shooting and return to their bases. Things have been much more quite since then. One thing that remains promising, noone has been harmed. Saturday, Sanogo appeared on TV to ask that all of the looters return what they have taken. He condemned the military, and other civilians involved, for their actions.
For days, there was talk of a counter-coup by the supporters of the President. Some even claimed that the loyalists had won and Sanogo was injured, but on Friday night, we saw the Red Berets (like President Obama's Secret Service) on TV with Sanogo and the military saying that they supported the military and the coup. Was this legit? Eh, I don't know. We still can't be sure.
Here's what happened:
On Wednesday morning, Malian military troops at their base camp in Kati (just outside of Bamako), were visited by a new Defense Minister. They quickly became upset because they have not received enough weapons, or food, to match the power and control of the nomadic Tuareg rebels in the North. Because of this situation, there are about 180,000 Malian refugees displaced and without food, shelter, and other basic needs. Many have died due to the situation in the north as well.
After the unfriendly visit of the Defense Minister, the military quickly seized the military base and then marched to the presidential palace in Bamako. They looted the place and riddled the cars and building with bullets. The coup was very spontaneous and not very well-planned, in my opinion. For a while, the whereabouts of President Amadou Toumani Touré (ATT) were unknown but they are now saying they have him and he is safe. Wednesday afternoon, Yeah was actually downtown finishing a meeting when he saw the military, led by Captain Amadou Aya Sanogo, surround the national TV station, ORTM. They shot into the air. Soon after, TV and radio stations were shut down and they took control. The military quickly surrounded the central parts of Bamako, and later the neighboring areas of Bamako as well, making it difficult to go anywhere. They quickly captured several other high-ranking government officials, looted their homes and other government buildings, as well as random local offices. All throughout the evening and throughout the next 2 days, we could hear residential gunfire as the military shot their guns in the air, making their presence known.
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| Soldiers block access to roads in Bamako |
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| The looting of a local insurance company - it made me think of my mom and I thought of how awful it would be if her business was looted! |
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| Sanogo (in green cap on middle right), leader of the military, giving commands to the other militants |
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| Outrageous lines at the gas pumps - most of the gas stations are completely empty |
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| Malians woke up Thursday morning, ready to go about their day as usual, not having heard the broadcast on national TV earlier that morning, only to find military blocking the streets and in control of Bamako. |
Photos courtesy of The Guardian
At 4:00 am on Thursday morning, the military troops, under the name of National Committee for the Reestablishment of Democracy and the Restoration of the State, or CNRDR, came on ORTM to explain their intentions. They advised that temporary military rule was in place and issued a military curfew between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm (it's all day, every day for American citizens...). At 11:00 am, they issued another statement to reaffirm their intentions and indicated that a temporary government would be put in place on March 27. As they took control, all airports and borders were shut down. Throughout the last few days, during "down" time, they have been playing movies on national TV - in Bambara (the national language), when everything is usually in French. On Friday evening, the soldiers were ordered to stop shooting and return to their bases. Things have been much more quite since then. One thing that remains promising, noone has been harmed. Saturday, Sanogo appeared on TV to ask that all of the looters return what they have taken. He condemned the military, and other civilians involved, for their actions.
For days, there was talk of a counter-coup by the supporters of the President. Some even claimed that the loyalists had won and Sanogo was injured, but on Friday night, we saw the Red Berets (like President Obama's Secret Service) on TV with Sanogo and the military saying that they supported the military and the coup. Was this legit? Eh, I don't know. We still can't be sure.
Right now, as the borders remain closed and the airport shutdown, not only can we not leave, but nothing can get in - that means no fuel or food and there are shortages all over the city. Fuel has risen from 500 CFA per litre a week ago to over 2000 CFA per litre today - crazy!
Mali has also been suspended from the African Union, France and the EU have suspended all aid and the US has threatened to cut off all aid to Mali.
Another thing that is disconcerting is the advance of the MNLA leaders and the Tuareg rebels in the north. Since Wednesday, they have since captured two more towns. They are taking advantage of the lack of government at this time. They are dangerous.
Today, 4 days after the initial events of the coup, things seem very calm and stable in Bamako. People are going about with their lives, and I even heard rumors of a local wedding - a military coup certainly can't stop a bride on her wedding day, eh? But, large stores are still closed and people are still hesitant to play outside on the soccer fields.
Mali has also been suspended from the African Union, France and the EU have suspended all aid and the US has threatened to cut off all aid to Mali.
Another thing that is disconcerting is the advance of the MNLA leaders and the Tuareg rebels in the north. Since Wednesday, they have since captured two more towns. They are taking advantage of the lack of government at this time. They are dangerous.
Today, 4 days after the initial events of the coup, things seem very calm and stable in Bamako. People are going about with their lives, and I even heard rumors of a local wedding - a military coup certainly can't stop a bride on her wedding day, eh? But, large stores are still closed and people are still hesitant to play outside on the soccer fields.
One of the best, most accurate, analysis articles I have read:
Mayhem in Mali: Implications of the Military Coup in Bamako
Why did they remove the president from power? Elections were only a month away...Why didn't they simply protest to be sure that elections would be held on April 29, as planned? (There had been talk of postponing the elections until July so the president could make some constitutional changes)...It was much too spontaneous. Sanogo claims that he does not want leadership and will hand everything over to the temporary government once it is in place. How are they going to setup this temporary government? They are saying they will involve the leadership and opinions of every political parties and create a temporary, unified government. Will that work? I am concerned that there will be tension between the loyalists of ATT and the other political parties. Everyone will want to do it their way - the "right" way! Right now, there is talk of postponing the presidential elections by 6 months to a year - what?! That's a long time! It will be interesting to see how things play out here in Mali.
Mayhem in Mali: Implications of the Military Coup in Bamako
Why did they remove the president from power? Elections were only a month away...Why didn't they simply protest to be sure that elections would be held on April 29, as planned? (There had been talk of postponing the elections until July so the president could make some constitutional changes)...It was much too spontaneous. Sanogo claims that he does not want leadership and will hand everything over to the temporary government once it is in place. How are they going to setup this temporary government? They are saying they will involve the leadership and opinions of every political parties and create a temporary, unified government. Will that work? I am concerned that there will be tension between the loyalists of ATT and the other political parties. Everyone will want to do it their way - the "right" way! Right now, there is talk of postponing the presidential elections by 6 months to a year - what?! That's a long time! It will be interesting to see how things play out here in Mali.
I am discouraged to see the "fall of democracy" in Mali, after 20 years of hard work and stability. It is almost as if the time tables have turned and we are back to 1991.
But I have high hopes for the future of Mali.
I'm not going to lie, it has been pretty cool to see the military on TV, to see and hear everything unfold in Bamako. This is historic. Well, pretty cool, aside from the residential gunfire that I have heard outside my window that first night, all night, and during the proceeding days (for now, they have ceased all residential gunfire, for the most part). And aside from the loud gunshots at 1:30 am Thursday morning as they took Modibo Sidibé, the former Prime Minister of Mali who resigned after stealing government funds, and looted his house, located just down the street from our home.
It was almost comical to watch as one of the regular reporters for ORTM, very frazzled, reported on TV on Thursday evening, in an attempt to preserve a sense of normalcy. It was fascinating to see the state of the Malian Presidential palace on TV. It is a mess! Empty bullet shells clutter the ground, windows are shattered, papers everywhere. Yikes, but still kind of cool. And I enjoy watching the military on national TV - they look like a bunch of thugs :)
Not that I haven't been scared or anxious at moments, but I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be and I am safe so I'm making the most of it. But it hasn't been easy. And mom, don't worry, I do understand just how serious the situation is.
I admire Yeah Samaké's determination to serve his country and to lead his country out of ignorance and poverty towards sustained development, good governance, and proper resource management (including human resources). He has the ability to change the lives of millions - I am excited to see what he can do for Mali in the coming months. Watch his most recent interviews on Al Jazeera - you can also see some great footage of the events in Bamako the last few days:
But I have high hopes for the future of Mali.
I'm not going to lie, it has been pretty cool to see the military on TV, to see and hear everything unfold in Bamako. This is historic. Well, pretty cool, aside from the residential gunfire that I have heard outside my window that first night, all night, and during the proceeding days (for now, they have ceased all residential gunfire, for the most part). And aside from the loud gunshots at 1:30 am Thursday morning as they took Modibo Sidibé, the former Prime Minister of Mali who resigned after stealing government funds, and looted his house, located just down the street from our home.
It was almost comical to watch as one of the regular reporters for ORTM, very frazzled, reported on TV on Thursday evening, in an attempt to preserve a sense of normalcy. It was fascinating to see the state of the Malian Presidential palace on TV. It is a mess! Empty bullet shells clutter the ground, windows are shattered, papers everywhere. Yikes, but still kind of cool. And I enjoy watching the military on national TV - they look like a bunch of thugs :)
Not that I haven't been scared or anxious at moments, but I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be and I am safe so I'm making the most of it. But it hasn't been easy. And mom, don't worry, I do understand just how serious the situation is.
I admire Yeah Samaké's determination to serve his country and to lead his country out of ignorance and poverty towards sustained development, good governance, and proper resource management (including human resources). He has the ability to change the lives of millions - I am excited to see what he can do for Mali in the coming months. Watch his most recent interviews on Al Jazeera - you can also see some great footage of the events in Bamako the last few days:
Al-Jazeera: Current Situation in Mali - reaction of a Political Leader
Al-Jazeera Mali Coup d'Etat: Going Forward
This next video is a little longer, and the Skype connection is a little slow at first but Yeah makes some incredible statements about going forward and the potential future of Mali...Check it out!Vive la démocratie! (Long Live Democracy)
Vive le Mali! (Long Live Mali)
Divisés nous perdons tous! Unis nous gagnons tous! (Divided we all lose! United we all win!)
To read more about what Yeah Samaké is doing in response to the military coup, and how things will continue with the Samake 2012 campaign (we're still going strong), read Marissa's blog: http://firstladymali2012.com/
And if you want to help the refugees in the North of Mali, Yeah and his team are raising funds to provide basic necessities to the people. Those interested in doing so through the Samake 2012 campaign may make anonymous donations to a trust that has been set up: Friends of Mali Trust, 472 East 4380 North, Provo, UT 84604.
A planned peaceful march for tomorrow morning to the "Hommage aux martyrs," a local monument in honor of the lives lost in the uprisings of 1992, to establish democracy. On Tuesday, the temporary government should announced, hopefully they will reinstate the constitution, and everything should reopen as "normal." All government employees are required to be at work on Tuesday or they will lose their jobs. We'll watch as things unfold - as history unfolds!
I hope and pray that democracy will prevail and Mali can quickly bounce back from the coup.
As for now,
I'm safe. Kyle's safe. We're doing well!
We are in a safe location, indoors at all times.
Very secure.
Once the airport is reopened (rumor says Tuesday or Wednesday), Kyle and I will be evacuated home, just to ensure safety.
Thank you everyone for all of your love and prayers! I have received countless emails, Facebook messages, and other communication the last few days from loving family and friends. Keep praying that we will return home safely.
Liz, it's wonderful to hear that you're OK, makes me proud to know you're over there doing God's work...be safe, love you, miss you!
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