affairs , Abdoulaye Diop , have made several points clear . One , Malians want accountable leaders and expect the current authorities to put things back into order , and it appears that the authorities intend to deliver on these expectations . Two , Mali is always open to dialogue , but respect for Mali ’ s institutions is paramount ; and France must understand this if it wants the cooperation to continue . Three , Mali is in the logic of non-alignment and does not intend to become an echo chamber of the power struggles between the West on the one hand , and China and Russia on the other hand ; as such , any partnership that furthers Mali ’ s national interests will be unapologetically pursued . Four but not least , existing partnerships will be reviewed and revoked if necessary , keeping in mind the interests of Malians .
Mali ’ s declared intentions are commendable . They offer a glimmer of hope in a continent that has for too long acquiesced to democratic rituals devoid of democratic outcomes and prioritised foreign interests over its own . It is hoped that the France-led coalition that has emerged with the aim to extinguish this hope will be defeated and that Malians will remain united behind this national project .
Lionel Manzi is a Burundian freelance writer .
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The Belligerents in the Ethiopian Conflict Have Failed the Moral Test
Lonzen Rugira
I
have read with interest many of the pragmatic solutions tabled for the Ethiopian crisis . Pragmatism is important in a world that , at times , operates like an open jungle . However , as we discuss possible solutions to the conflict , we ought to keep an eye on another world , one of the ideals we want to bequeath future generations . This is especially important in conversations about “ the Africa we want ”. In the realm of ideals , moral considerations must factor in the search for a path out of the current conflict in Ethiopia if the country is to retrace itself to the inspiration that it has been for Africa for much of the past two decades .
When Abiy Ahmed rose to power in 2018 , Ethiopia was a reference point for Africa ’ s inspiration . An Ethiopian Prime Minister commanded the kind of respect and influence in Africa and in global settings that many leaders would envy . This is the kind of leverage that can steer a country to any vision a leader wishes for his society . Ethiopian leaders had recognised that they could leverage this asset ( the standing of an Ethiopian leader ) to influence decisions in Africa and elsewhere . So much has been at stake in the war in Ethiopia , not only for Ethiopians but for all of us Africans . Ethiopians have lost themselves – but so have we .
When , in November 2020 , the Federal government launched its “ law and order operation ,” many observers warned that the conflict could have unintended consequences , urging the belligerents to show restraint . Brushing those concerns aside , the authorities in Addis Ababa assured that the operation would last only a few weeks . We are now close to 15 months into the conflict , with
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