“Take measures to ensure peaceful, inclusive, consensual transition”: Mali’s Faith Leaders

The attacks, which are reportedly orchestrated by independent militia and jihadists linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State, as well as inter-communal violence, have left thousands dead and hundreds of thousands displaced. 

The violence has spread to neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger.

The West African nation is currently under the leadership of Colonel Assimi Goita who led two coups in a span of nine months, first ousting the country’s elected President August last year, and on May 24, the interim leaders who were to head the country’s transitional government.

Following the May 24 coup, Mali’s constitutional court named Colonel Goita the transitional President until the West African nation holds elections to replace the country’s elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita who was ousted in August last year.

The move attracted criticism and condemnation, with the Catholic Church leaders in the country naming it “seizure of power outside the legal process.”

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In their August 30 collective statement following the meeting that was convened by the President of the High Islamic Council of Mali (HCI), Cherif Ousmane Madani Hadaira, representatives of religious leaders in Mali call on citizens of the West African nation to work toward “stability in our country.”

“We call on the Malian people to take a bold step of faith, change their behavior and mobilize for peace and stability in our country,” the religious leaders say, and add, “We commit ourselves to pursue our spiritual and patriotic mission, for the rebuilding of the State and the success of the Transition.”

Addressing journalists after the August 30 meeting in Bamako, Cardinal Zerbo has been quoted as saying that representatives of religious leaders in Mali planned, in the days ahead, to “meet the transitional authorities and define a timetable and their approach to supporting the peace process in the country.”

“We will also initiate an advocacy for peace and reconciliation with the government and social actors, armed groups and the international community,” he added.

The representatives of Mali’s religious leaders also explored the need to organize a day of prayer for the return of peace in the West African nation, the Cardinal said.

On his part, Cherif Madani who had convened the August 30 meeting has been quoted urging religious leaders to get together to find a solution to the crisis in Mali. 

“We must not remain passive. No one will change Mali in the place of Malians. We must dialogue in order to find a solution. Many parts of the country are already beyond the control of the government,” the Muslim leader told journalists. 

Also speaking to journalists, Rev. Nouh Ag Infa Yattara, said religious leaders in Mali are once again calling for peace so that “Malians hold hands as brothers, as people who are in the same boat.”

“It is time for all Malians to know that we must preserve our boat and that we all have a good trip because each of us has only a very short time to live in this world,” Rev. Yattara said.

He added, “We must not spoil the place of our journey, our boat for our children, our descendants, this unique boat which is Mali and which is not extensible so that the next generations can also borrow it in peace and tranquility.”

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Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.