If ECOWAS leaders want to restore democracy in Mali, the man they need to woo is Imam Mahmoud Dicko, the mullah who led the two month revolt against President Boubacar Keita.

But for now, he appears solidly in support of the coup plotters who have taken control of the country.

Dicko is the Malian version of Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran, who led the revolt against the Shah of Iran in 1979.

Malian opposition to Keita’s government calls Dicko ‘the religious guide’. And like Ayatollah, he is a cleric and also a politician.

On Friday, he led the M5-RFP leaders to a rally at Independence Square in Bamako, in support of the armed forces and the Colonel Assimi Goita-led CNSP. It was also a rally of celebration of victory against Keita.

The M5-RFP leaders at the rally in Bamako Mali on Friday

Thousands of Malians were at the rally, reported L’Essor, the country’s main newspaper.

The prominent politicians, leaders of the protest movement, present at the rally were Choguel Kokalla Maiga, Montaga Tall and Cheick Oumar Sissoko .

During the rally, the movement welcomed the resignation of President Keita and his regime.

The leaders also castigated the ECOWAS leaders for adopting severe economic sanctions against the country.

Kokalla Maiga, one of the leaders, said it was wrong for ECOWAS to close the borders against the country.

According to him, international conventions prohibit the closure of borders to a landlocked country.

Imam Dicko, who also spoke at the rally regretted the acts of vandalism and looting.

“Mali is not a country of revenge. But a country of understanding, ”said the imam.

Throughout his speech, Dicko advocated non-violence against revenge.

“We must come together today in order to drive out the demon of division and hatred. It’s time”

The religious guide also asked his supporters to forgive President Keita.

To the military, Dicko asked them to respect their oath and their commitment to the people.

A delegation of the military committee led by Colonel-Major Ismaël Wagué, spokesperson and Colonel Malick Diaw, deputy president of CNSP joined the rally.

“We are happy to be with you this afternoon. We thank the Malian people. Our job has been to complete your fight ”, declared CNSP spokesperson Col-major Ismaël Wagué.

Tuesday’s coup in Mali followed two months of unrelenting protest against Keita.

Now the movement that toppled him, along with Dicko and the soldiers, believes that the fight has been won.

On Tuesday, a group of soldiers, from the Kati garrison, mutinied, deposed Keita and his government and arrested him and his Prime Minister Boubou Cissé, as well as some other ministers.

The arrests are continuing, according to local media.

What may cause a showdown between Dicko and the M5-RFP on one hand and the military on the other, is if they fail to announce a credible transition programme.

This was made clear at the Independence Square rally, when Kokalla Maiga, speaking for all the other politicians called for an urgent “ civil transition” for “a new Mali”.

https://www.inform.ng/post/meet-imam-dikko-the-islamic-cleric-behind-malis-revolution

Always of that religion.

No be Islam? Mtchew!!!

He will surely have other collaborators.

comot here cock and cow story. na Paris and CIA run that Mali show

nellyelitz:
Always of that religion.

which religion