The scene is very different from North Mali. Traffic jams at every cross roads. Here, administrative authorities are truly present, while they are hardly represented up North
Here, there is no explosion of mines, nor any detonation of heavy weaponry to be heard. However, events in the North are affecting security in Bamako. A visible sign can be seen with high numbers of security personnel in front of hotels, embassies and administrative sites. Some time ago, the murder attempt against General Mohamed Abderrahmane Ould Meydou, caused him to be hurt on the leg and shoulder. The superior officer was very active in fighting armed groups in the North in 2012.
The assassination attempt was considered by many as a proof of the growing lack of security in Bamako. According to Arouna Diallo, professor of Geopolitics «there is no doubt that the surge of violence in Bamako is the direct results of lessen security in the regions of northern Mali »
« Bamako is a strategic city due to its position and role. Furthermore, it is the economic and administrative capital city. When there is a crisis, Bamako suffers automatically. This is a domino effect”, he added.
Port folio
The security instability in Mali is scaring away investors. Many sectors of the economy are in low regime. Mamadou Coulibaly, stopover coordinator in a transport company, also had to scale down activities. He regularly travels between Bamako and Gao. «With recent fighting between armed groups, many passengers have cancelled their trip to the North. They say they feel not safe to travel. This negatively impacts our business. »,he explains.
How much is the crisis costing in term of economic losses? To answer this question, our request for information was left unanswered at the Ministry of national reconciliation. «We are unable to answer your question right now as we do not have any figures on economic losses due to the lack of relevant survey on that issue. Please try and see with the Ministry of solidarity, humanitarian action and reconstruction of the Northern regions », whispered an adviser to the minister as we walked down the stairs.
The same was awaiting us at the Ministry of solidarity, humanitarian action and reconstruction of the Northern regions . No answer.
Fantasy
The images of fighting in Northern Mali are not broadcast on ORTM , the national television channel, which many watch in Bamako. One has to rely on foreign channels when one has the chance to pay for digital decoder. This lack of information exacerbates rumours among the population as to what is really happening in the field. Many conspiracy theories and fantasies germinate there. At 23 , Moulay Koukeïna, a student in management, explains : « Gao town is considered as the true centre of the world. This is why the French want to open there a military base in order to control the whole world. »
Next to a busy road Soumalia Sangare manages his meat shop, a butcher ‘kiosk’ of corrugated iron and wood. He reads a daily paper while flies fester on a hanging piece of meat. « France is guilty of the crisis in North Mali ; It is France that raises Malians one against each other. » Two years ago, French forces were acclaimed and welcomed by chanting crowds. Malian and French flags were flying next to each other everywhere. Today, the joy has died down.
