29th January 2022
The millitary ruler of Mali Assimi Goita delivered a powerful speech this week following a decision by ECOWAS to place stiffer sanctions on the country. The west African bloc lead by Nana Addo suspended Mali following a millitary coup last year. ECOWAS gave it up to next month to conduct elections and return to democratic rule. But the head of state in a statement said he cannot accomplish the mandate within that period. The 15 member state took further steps to place trade sanctions on the country. Knowing the local effects of the sanctions, the head of state tried to engage his citizens and win their support in the adversities. He spoke to Malians in a live national television broadcast and the reactions were massive.
Assimi Goita told his nationals that he came to save Mali just like Jerry John Rawlings and Thomas Sankara saved Ghana and Burkina Faso respectively. He maintained that until he finishes with the procedure he is laying down, he won’t rush back to democracy. Meanwhile he is aware that as mortal as he is, he can die along the line. His only plea is that should he die before accomplishing his mission, the agenda should continue. Below is his statement for the persual of readers.
“I am aware that am a mortal, I am not perfect. History will judge me one day, but until then all I ask for is your support.Â
I did not choose this path on my own. She imposed herself on me. God alone knows what He’s doing.
I will strive to get to the end, but if I die before reaching our goal, do continue the project without me and lay the groundwork for change with my blood and my flesh.No sacrifice is so much for this country.
I am not Thomas Sankara, nor Jerry Rawlings. I am Assimi Goïta. Remember me as a reformer not a revolutionary. Remember me as the bearer of hope to the people, the one who came when your blood was shed for your desire for change.
I will go to the end of my mission. I will never betray your trust.
Death doesn’t scare me, I saw it every day on the battlefield, it’s failure that scares me.
If death marries me on the way to our target, do not mourn me. Don’t make my grave a sanctuary. I did what I thought was right for my country. I did it for me but I did it for you too.
I am Assimi, the man who smiles every day with death.”
There are currently three countries in West Africa which are being ruled by millitary namely Mali, Guinea and now Burkina Faso. ECOWAS has suspended all of them likewise AU. There are indications that more countries in Africa will experience millitary take over in the next two years due to economic hardships, wanton corruption and insecurity.
CitizenOne
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