Tuesday, April 03, 2012


Merci Dieu Merci Sanogo

Lorry spotted on our way between Segou and Bamako this afternoon.
While the World views the Touareg rebels as Romantic minority freedom fighters, many southern Malians view Sanogo as their own Freedom Fighter. He is their Che Guevara or their Thomas Sankara. He is the People's Hero, and the 'Movement du 22 Mars', the sympathisers with the coup, has a large following. But how long can Mali last the sanctions which have been imposed since yesterday? A week to ten days is the estimate. Bamako appears surprisingly normal at the moment. As we entered the city this evening it was impossible to tell this is a city in a deep crisis. Plenty of people on the street, the shops open and people having ice cream or pizza at Amandines as if nothing is happening...

4 Comments:

Blogger Lela B said...

Just received a U.S. State Department warning (as I am on file as traveling in Mali). Excerpts:

"The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Mali at this time because of current political instability in the country, an active rebellion in the north, and continuing threats of attacks and kidnappings of Westerners in the north of the country. The Department of State has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and all eligible family members of U.S. Embassy personnel. Malian mutineers have refused to return to their barracks, and rival rebel factions are battling each other for control in areas they have seized in the north. The situation in the country remains fluid and unpredictable. The U.S. Department of State urges U.S. citizens in Mali to consider their own personal security and contingency plans, including the option of temporarily departing Mali.

U.S. citizens should note that the U.S. Embassy in Bamako has designated northern regions of Mali as "restricted without prior authorization" for purposes of travel by U.S. government employees, contractors, grantees, and their dependents. Prior to traveling to these areas, U.S. government employees in Mali are required to have the written approval of the U.S. Ambassador to Mali. This designation is based on an active Tuareg rebellion, the presence of Al-Qaeda in the Lands of the Maghreb (AQIM), as well as banditry in the region. These restrictions are in effect for the regions of Kidal, Gao, and Timbuktu, where separatist rebels now appear to have control."

Sending warm wishes to Mali...

8:43 PM  
Blogger truthseeker said...

Mali and beautiful Djenné are in my thoughts...

I will never forget the wonderful time spent with you a few weeks ago, and witnessing the "Crepissage".

I just read your all your posts now and wish I'd been following earlier. Will keep up now.

Please keep send me your email if you can.

Stay safe Sophie!

9:16 PM  
Blogger truthseeker said...

Mali and beautiful Djenné are in my thoughts...

I will never forget the wonderful time spent with you a few weeks ago, and witnessing the "Crepissage".

I just read your all your posts now and wish I'd been following earlier. Will keep up now.

Please keep send me your email if you can.

Stay safe Sophie!

9:17 PM  
Blogger toubab said...

Dear Lela, thank you for your messages and the US info: I believe it is about the same story in all other embassies too.
Just had dinner in Bamako and it is unbelieveably normal here. It is probably the quiet before the storm however, but what will the storm be?
And yes, truth seeker, it was a wonderful day at the crepissage, it now seems a very long time ago in a different happier era...

12:49 AM  

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