During his inauguration on April 2, Mohamed Bazoum made remarks that angered Mali.

In front of several African heads of state, including Mali's transitional president, Bah N'Daw, the new Nigerien president took the oath of office and listed his priorities, including the fight against corruption, education, social justice… and notably insecurity.
Apart from that, he also cited the Islamic State in the Great Sahara (EIGS) and Boko Haram as the main actors of violence that plunges Niger into mourning and destabilizes its economy. To add to this, since he has a diplomatic agenda focused on Mali, he said that "this criminal group, led by nationals of Maghreb countries, (…) has its main bases in Mali, in the regions of Menaka and Gao. "

However, these words of President Bazoum have provoked indignation in Bamako. Denouncing in a communiqué, the Front for the Rejection of the Implementation of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement (APR) was the first to say that President Bazoum's remarks "undermine Mali's sovereignty and call into question its impartiality in managing the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement." According to them, "this constitutes sufficient reason for the Malian government to challenge its presence on the mediation team. "

Nevertheless, many of those present at President Bazoum's inaugural address were more complacent. For them, "Malian nationalism should not prevent us from facing reality. "

Ravaka Ny Aina

© Picture Source: Le Point

Voir la traduction