Historic day in Mali

 

Whatever happens next, every Malian will remember the 2^nd of February 2013. It was a moment to savour unconditionally, the sort of day that arrives only every few decades in the history of a country:  Mali was exploding in two- fold celebrations:

 President Holland, accompanied by  Diounkounda Traore,  touched down in Sevare, Timbuktu and Bamako on a whistle stop tour of Mali  to greet and congratulate the French and  Malian forces for their success in the liberation of the North.  Wherever they  went they were acclaimed like heroes and  greeted by huge crowds waving French and Malian flags. It rather went to Hollande’s head and he confessed to the euphoric  audience  that ‘this is the most important day of my political life’.

He made it clear however that the recapture of Mali is not yet completed, and he admitted that Kidal had not yet been secured.  But the Malians who had doubted the French over  Kidal and the MNLA were assured  by Hollande’s insistence that the French would stand by  Mali until the country has regained their  territory in its totality.

And as if this was not enough, Mali’s national team beat South Africa on penalties this evening, thereby qualifying for the semi-final in the cup of African Nations, and causing more major traffic jams and celebrations in all major towns of Mali!