LETTER ON
OPEN
MALI
Until recently, Mali was poised to play a signi?cant role in the future of Africa, highlighting the power of its progressive culture. And yet, what is currently happening in Northern Mali should not be taking place anywhere in the 21st century. Even beyond its cultural heritage, it has been evident that Mali has been one of Africa's most subtle and peaceful nations, one with a stable democratic and secular tradition. The great Malian empire of the thirteenth to seventeenth centuries was the wellspring of most of the
cultural education in surrounding countries. Its cultural references were having a great effect in Africa. But suddenly it is as though a bomb has been placed there to destroy such a wealth of heritage. I think every single person in West Africa should be concerned about this. And we should be anxious as to how to bring back to the citizens of northern Mali their dignity, their culture, and their opportunities to build a better future for themselves and the continent.
caused by the reasons suggested? Are the true causes simply hidden in religion? Or is it because other powers want to control this part of Africa? The entire world needs to pay attention to the fact that this is a very exposed part of Africa, and to prevent the ?ow of weapons to it. Because this crisis was started by a very small amount of people, a few hundred. And then it began growing: so why are people hurrying from everywhere to join in? I have heard that Malians born in France are now going to northern No one expected this to happen in Mali. This can take the problem to Mali, a country of such great tradition. Paris. But when things changed in Libya, there appears to have been no I don't think this is because of spiritual consideration of what the impact or religious belief. It is so obvious this might be in the nations of the Sahel, tragedy is taking place because these which is only just to the south of Libya. people are very vulnerable, very poor, This is a complicated and longstanding and therefore easy to manipulate. It is issue, because some people in about power and controlling people. northern Mali certainly have expressed But who is doing it? Who is behind a desire for independence. But is this this? It is very dif?cult to judge crisis really connected – as we are precisely what is happening. Among being told - with Islam? Or are other things, it is hard not to believe individuals and religion merely being that this Mali dilemma is concerned manipulated? with the movement of drugs, money, Is this seizure of northern Mali really and people-smuggling.
Great Mosque of Djenné Picture Credits: Hector Conesa / Shutterstock.com