Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bamako (Agenzia Fides) - There are clashes in the capital of Mali, Bamako, between the pros and cons of the military junta after the coup on March 22. This is reported to Fides by local sources. "Yesterday, March 29, opponents of the junta organized a meeting at the Bourse du Travail. Immediately after the start of the event a group of people showed up throwing stones at their opponents. The result was a fight between the two sides, which caused some injuries. There is increasing concern about a possible polarization between the two fields, pro and against the military junta, but we continue to hope that the crisis is resolved quickly", say our sources that confirm that religious leaders are continuing their work of mediation.
This incident happened on the same day in which the plane with the delegation led by the Ivorian President, Alassanne Ouattara, sent by ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) "to try to restore constitutional order in Mali", did not manage to land at the airport in Bamako, after a group of supporters of the new regime had briefly occupied the runway. ECOWAS has issued an ultimatum to the military junta: it has 72 hours to restore constitutional order, otherwise diplomatic and financial sanctions against members of the junta will become effective.
Fides sources point out that, unlike previously reported (see Fides 28/03/2012), religious leaders did not meet with President Amadou Toumani Toure, whose situation remains uncertain. In the meantime, the Tuareg rebels, fighting for the independence of northern Mali continues to advance: they are advancing towards the south of Azawad and are currently just 7 kilometers away from the city of Timbuktu. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 30/3/2012)
