Mali: tributes and emotional reactions after the death of Soumaïla Cissé
The Malian opponent Soumaïla Cissé, of the Union for the Republic and Democracy, August 12, 2018. AP - Boubacar Sada Sissoko
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Soumaïla Cissé died on Friday, December 25, in Paris where he was receiving treatment after contracting Covid-19.
More than any other neighborhood in Bamako, Badalabougou is in mourning.
The former leader of the opposition in Mali had established his family home there.
It is also the headquarters district of his party, the Union for the Republic and Democracy (URD), which salutes his memory.
In Niafunké, the city of his childhood, the emotion is great too.
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With our correspondent in Bamako,
Kaourou Magassa
In front of the Cissé family's house, in the Badalabougou district, a tent has been hastily set up to welcome the many personalities and anonymous people who flock.
The sudden death of Soumaïla Cissé
, at the age of 71, is experienced as a shock.
The words of comfort and condolences to his siblings are linked.
Amadou Alhousseini Touré, the deceased's brother-in-law, is stunned:
“
He's my children's uncle.
I cannot say anything other than the immeasurable loss for us, for the family, for Mali.
But I am thinking at the moment especially of his wife Assa, in Paris, I am thinking of his four children.
"
"Despite everything he suffered, the man remained standing, in the service of Mali, of democracy"
In addition to a father, Soumaïla Cissé was a leading figure in Mali and especially in the neighborhood.
In Badalabougou, everyone knew him.
Mahoumoudou Aldiana Bangou, supporter and sympathizer of Soumaïla Cissé since 2002, remembers her humanism.
He still talks about it a bit:
"
As soon as he crosses paths with you, knows you or doesn't know you, it looks like he's not a Malian.
Soumaïla looks more like an American.
Every time you meet an American, he meets you with a big smile, he says “Hi!” And you feel like you know him.
Soumaïla Cissé had that style
.
"
Until nightfall, dozens of people were still present in front of the family home.
All are waiting for the return of Soumaïla Cissé's remains to pay them a last tribute during the funeral, the date of which has still not been announced.
Born in Timbuktu, Soumaïla Cissé grew up in Niafunké.
This city has become his stronghold.
And today, we mourn his disappearance.
“
Soumaila is Niafunké's son.
Soumaila, that's all Niafunké.
All Niafunké is found in Soumaila.
When we say Niafunké, it is Soumaila.
When we say Soumaila, we automatically think of Niafunké.
See what it does when you lose a leader like that,
”explains Samba Bah, the mayor of Niafunké.
Samba Bah, mayor of Niafunké
David Baché
Boubacar Karamoko Coulibaly, vice-president of the Union for the Republic and Democracy, speaks of the “
legacy
” left by Soumaïla Cissé.
This heritage, “
is first of all the meaning of the fight he led on the political level: love for the country, commitment to the country.
Despite all that he suffered, the man remained standing, in the service of Mali, of democracy
”.
Boubacar Karamoko Coulibaly assures him: “
His fight will not be in vain.
"
Boubacar Karamoko Coulibaly, vice-president of the Union for the Republic and Democracy
Jeanne Richard
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