The president of the transition, Assimi Goïta, was the target of a knife attack on Wednesday 20 July in the Grand Mosque of Bamako. He was almost assassinated during the celebration of the Muslim holiday, Eid al-Adha. The aim of the attacker was simple, to take the life of the president. However, he was not hit and injured, not even a single hair.

This is a normal act

The act took place as the imam was heading out of the mosque to cut the sheep. However, an individual tried to stab Assimi Goïta from behind with a knife.  But fortunately, according to Mamadou Koné, the Minister of Religious Affairs, he was well controlled before committing his crime. So, the president is safe and sound according to his confirmation to journalists.

As a head of state, the Malian president found this act to be quite normal. As he said, "This is part of the life of a leader. There are always people who are unhappy, there are people who at any time can try to destabilise, to try isolated actions".

No news on the identity of the attackers

According to information, two men were accomplices in the attempted assassination of Assimi Goïta. One is a member of the special forces, armed with a pistol during the event. But the presidential guard did not recognise him. The other is a teacher, according to Commissioner Tomoda. Both were arrested.

The tired assailant has not said even one word since his arrest. It is highly likely that he was drugged before taking action.

The authorities have opened an investigation into the case. So far, 2 tracks are possible. One is about the jihadist attack but some evidence is needed to confirm this. The other is about political competition.

Political instability reigns in Mali. As a reminder, this country has faced 2 coups in only one year, one in August 2020 and the last one in May. The current president Assimi Goïta was responsible for this.

He is still accompanied by his hooded and armed men since 9 months. Is it a revenge of the other parties that the transitional president should have been killed?

Santie

Photo Credit : Egypt Today

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