Mali: a section of AEEM students challenges the transitional authorities
In Mali, a fringe of the Association of Pupils and Students of Mali (AEEM) is challenging the ruling colonels. The AEEM was dissolved by the Council of Ministers on March 13, 2024, due to “
numerous armed clashes between the different clans of the said association
”. But the members of the association refuse this dissolution. The national office is considering legal action, while a more radical fringe has formed a crisis unit. In a particularly virulent press release released on March 21, this cell calls for mobilization.
A view of Bamako, capital of Mali, on the banks of the Niger River. (Illustrative image). © Arensond/wikimedia.org
By: David Baché
Advertisement
Read more
Its members do not hesitate to appear in front of the camera. The crisis unit of the Association of Pupils and Students of
Mali
(AEEM), which brings together the most radical fringe of the student organization, “
firmly condemns any attempt to muzzle the voice of pupils and students by depriving them of their freedom of association
” and says he is ready to “
defend at all costs
” the association. “
We are not afraid of reprisals, whether it be prison, physical elimination or any form of repression.
»
The students invoke “
fundamental freedoms
” and the past of their organization: in 1991, it played a major role in the protest and then in the fall of the military dictatorship of General Moussa Traoré – whose memory has been rehabilitated by the colonels currently in power. “
We will never accept that part of the history of Malian democracy is suppressed
,” insist these students, who also demand “
the immediate and unconditional release
” of their “
fellow pupils and students currently detained
”.
The national office of the AEEM favors Justice
Internal clashes regularly take place between the different AEEM clans, one of them causing the death of a student at the end of February and arrests. On various occasions, weapons and large sums of money were found in the premises of the AEEM, around fifteen members of which are currently in prison, according to the association.
Addressing the transitional President, Colonel Assimi Goïta, the students take certain precautions: “
We love our dear country Mali very much and we are proud of our Malian army.
» Key words that echo the sovereignist and military policy of the regime in place. “
But we say
'no
' to any form of violence against our freedom of association.
»
The crisis unit therefore calls on “
the Malian people
” to mobilize to obtain the cancellation of the
dissolution of the association
. “
Dissolving the AEEM is the art of dribbling yourself while keeping the ball
,” the press release concludes. The formula is repeated three times, as the spokesperson for the Malian transitional government, Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga, usually does. An imitation which, more than an homage, resembles a mockery and a provocation. A form of offensive humor that will probably not make the colonels in power laugh.
But this crisis unit does not represent the entire student organization. Contacted by RFI, the spokesperson for the AEEM, Mamadou Maïga, stands out: “
We are preparing legal proceedings. For the moment, the national office favors this path and is not calling for mobilization.
» The crisis unit would be an “
initiative
” taken by only a part of the association.
The sequel will reveal to what extent this fringe is representative and capable of mobilizing Malian students... and beyond.
Rallying of the opponents
Asked by RFI, the AEEM office did not provide figures on the number of members.
“
The AEEM has only represented itself for more than fifteen years
,” judges a Malian researcher who knows the subject well. In his eyes, the mobilization capacity of the association itself – and, a fortiori, of only part of the association – is therefore very weak. Will Malian students, in Bamako and across the country, answer the call? Will they dare to brave the risk of repression?
Even beyond the student community, the political opponents contacted by RFI do not hide their desire to rally and amplify the movement. The AEEM crisis unit is only fighting for the survival of the association, but its call for mobilization clearly constitutes an opportunity for all opponents of the regime in place, who will not hesitate to rush into the breach.
The Synergy of Action for Mali, which brings together political parties and civil society organizations, demanding the end of the transition, is already indirectly involved. Many prominent Malian political figures have passed through the AEEM. “
Some of them are now members of Synergy
,” confides one of its executives.
They are not strangers to what is happening
.” Contacts are therefore already more than established. “
We are trying to bring together as much as possible to plan actions on the ground
,” explains this source. “
If they organize demonstrations, we will be united.
»
The 33rd anniversary of the fall of the military dictatorship of Moussa Traoré is approaching
Here again, it is difficult to estimate the mobilization capacity of the opposition movements, several of whose leaders are in prison, in exile, or condemned to secrecy to avoid ending up in these two boxes.
No date has yet been officially indicated for any action. On March 26, Mali will celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the fall of the military dictatorship of Moussa Traoré. At the time, the AEEM was at the forefront.
The Malian transitional authorities have, for the moment, not reacted officially.
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your inbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
Share :
Continue reading on the same themes:
Mali