“In Bamako, as well as in Sikasso and Touba, we are fine”, explained one of the Salesian missionaries who works in Bamako. However, he added that "all activities ceased after the military uprising."
"Many people took to the streets in the city, in the first moments, to support the military. But in the afternoon a curfew was instituted from 9 pm to 5 in the morning," the Salesians continue.
“Today the missionaries tell us that Bamako is a ghost town. There are no people on the street. The schools are closed, as well as the shops, the banks, the administration ... everything stopped after the long day yesterday," explained Ana Muñoz, spokesperson for "Misiones Salesianas."
The Salesian missionaries present in Mali affirmed that now there is fear of what the consequences of this revolt will be. The closures imposed as a result of the unrest may have serious repercussions. "The borders closed due to Covid-19 had just been reopened and now we are worried about the increase in the prices of basic products and fuel," they say from Mali.
Mali has been experiencing great insecurity for years, due to attacks by jihadist groups, especially in the north of the country, and to this is added the political tension of recent months. "A part of the population was demanding the resignation of President Keita and already at the beginning of July there were serious clashes, with riots in which at least 10 people lost their lives," adds Ana Muñoz.
Salesian missionaries have been working in the country since 1982, supporting the most vulnerable young people. Today, there are vocational schools and secondary schools in the cities of Bamako, Sikasso and Touba. "Misiones Salesianas" asks, at this moment, for dialogue among all the parties involved, so that there are no serious disorders that lead to useless bloodshed and they hope "that everything will return to normal and constitutional order as soon as possible."
