Protesters in Mali demand that French troops leave, while others urge for stronger Russian help

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 07:57 am

Activists in Mali demonstrate against the presence of French troops in Bamako, calling for the evacuation of all French troops from the nation. Some carried Russian flags and banners urging Mali and Russia to work together more closely.

The political fringe group ‘Yerewolo Debouts sur les remparts’ organized a rather low-key event. After heavy rains earlier in the day, attendance was lower than organizers had intended.

Following an attack on soldiers participating in a United Nations mission in Mali, Germany’s defense minister said that 12 German troops and a soldier from another country had been wounded.

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“If France left Mali today, I would be overjoyed, as if I were at a party. Really. Everything has gotten worse since we entrusted them with our protection” Bakary Coulibaly, a local resident, expressed his displeasure.

A truck bomb targeted a temporary operational base in the Gao region, wounding 15 UN forces, according to the UN mission in the country, MINUSMA. Hundreds of German troops are stationed in the West African country as part of UN stabilization and European Union training missions.

“There are Germans who have been harmed, which has upset us because Germany is not perceived as an invading force here. They are, however, being controlled by the French. Germany came to protect us from terrorists with good intentions, but now they’re caught up in France’s Machiavellian plots “According to Pape Diallo, a spokeswoman for the ‘Yerewolo – Debout sur Les Remparts’ protest platform.

Since 2012, Mali has been battling an Islamic terrorist insurgency. Last year’s military coup in Mali has complicated matters even more, and the junta’s commanders have been chastised by France and the African Union.