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Expert Says Finding A Solution For Mali’s Population Will Be “Difficult”
Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita announced his resignation on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 after the military detained him, putting the West African country into a deeper crisis as it fights jihadism in the Sahel. Keita was the target of mass protests since June, with people saying his seven-year rule was flawed with corruption. Mali is also in a dire economic situation and is one of the poorest countries in the world. The country is a key ally to West in the battle against jihadist threat in the region. In a statement carried overnight on state broadcaster ORTM, the mutinous soldiers who staged Tuesday’s coup identified themselves as the National Committee for the Salvation of the People led by Col. Maj. Ismael Wagué. “With you, standing as one, we can restore this country to its former greatness,” Wagué said, announcing that borders were closed and that a curfew was going into effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Wague said the committee will implement a transition to civil political rule with elections held in a “reasonable amount of time.” He reassured that all international agreements will still be respected and that international forces, including the U.N. mission in Mali and G5 Sahel, will remain in place “for the restoration of stability.”
“It seems to me difficult that a junta could lead Mali,” Dr. Niagalé Bagayoko, Chair of the African Security Sector Network told Africa News. “It’ll be very difficult to find a solution the population will find legitimate today as all solutions that have been tried until now have been a failure.”
Mali saw its last coup in 2012, which started at the same military base where shots were fired on Tuesday, sparking the latest events. There was no word on the future of the now former President Keita.
The West African regional bloc ECOWAS said it was sending a high-level delegation to “ensure immediate return to constitutional order.”
WI
caribbean now
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness won big in his bet on early elections as his Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) captured 49 of 63 seats in Parliament, swamping the rival People’s National Party (PNP). Addressing the nation on a virtual livestream after the PNP conceded defeat Thursday evening, September 3, Holness congratulated Jamaicans for a smooth and fair election held amid restrictions aimed at stifling the coronavirus pandemic. “Tonight the victor is the people of Jamaica,” he declared. “What it says to me is that the Jamaican people are maturing in their outlook; they understand that populist policies can have destructive impact on the national good.” The party won despite a recent spike in COVID-19 cases that has threatened several years of strong economic growth. Debt had been shrinking, unemployment hit a record low and the stock market was booming.
The JLP focused on pledges to rebuild the economy from the fallout of the pandemic, which has damaged tourism and exports. The PNP focused on providing social programs to assist the most vulnerable, including students, poor and working-class Jamaicans.
Elections weren’t constitutionally due until February 2021, but on August 11, Holness called for a new general vote.
WI
September Greetings from DC Department of Aging and Community Living
Laura Newland Director Department of Aging and Community Living
We miss you! We miss seeing you at all of our events, connecting with you in the community, and celebrating with you. This month, I hope you’ll join us for the first ever Virtual Mayor’s Annual Senior Symposium scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. You can join us from your own living room by tuning in to Channel 16, watching online at http://video.oct. dc.gov/DCN, or join by phone at 1-844-881-1314.
Normally, we’d all get together in- person for a day of entertainment, great food, dancing, fellowship and information sharing, but this year has been anything but normal. So, my team has been working to recreate some of these great experiences into something we can still enjoy together while staying safe at home. We’re excited to celebrate, dance and share information with you. For more details, check out the flyer on the next page.
This month, we’re also celebrating the lives and legacies of our District centenarians. There are nearly 200 District residents 100 or older living in all eight wards of the city, according to the Social Security Administration. We’ve had the privilege of making connections with more than 40 centenarians identified in the community. We’ve learned about their life stories, tri- umphs, lessons learned and advice, which I’ve found especially helpful during this unprecedented time.
For some, this isn’t their first time experiencing a global pandemic. Mrs. Marillee Asher, an active artist who moved to DC during World War II, was recently in the news for surviving the Spanish Flu in 1918 and surviving COVID-19 this year at 107 years old!
We also connected with Ms. Norine C. Berryman, who was the first woman taxi driver in the District! She’s served her community and her church for most of her life and prides herself on teaching her grandchildren how to do the electric slide!
Mrs. Dorothy Boggess, who moved to D.C. to work for the District’s War Department in 1941, once wrote an article for the Washington Post about the contributions made by African Ameri- can women who came to D.C. to work during World War II. Mrs. Boggess’ early career is documented in American Dream Deferred: Black Federal Workers in Washington, D.C. 1941-1981, written by Frederick W. Gooding.
Mr. Willie Covington always loved to sing, so in 1947 he joined the National Negro Opera Company (NNOC) and performed and traveled around the country.
And our oldest centenarian, Ms. Dora Sylvia Credle, born July 21, 1911, is known for her kind personality and amazing cooking! Even at 109, she stays very active working around the house and in the community.
We’re looking forward to celebrating the longevity and accomplishments of our centenarians this month, and invite you to follow along on social media at @dcagingnews on twitter and Insta- gram September 14 – 25 when we’ll be sharing information on all of our centenarians. You can also view all of the in- credible stories online at dacl.dc.gov.
As my team continues to look for ways to engage with you, we also want to hear your ideas on new projects, services and programs to combat social isolation and loneliness during the Public Health Emergency. You can complete a short survey on our website at dacl. dc.gov. Your feedback will help us create a Re- quest for Applications to fund new and innovative programs in fiscal year 2021.
It’s been a challenging time for all of us, but being able to find new ways to connect with you, with our centenarians and our entire community has been a reminder that no matter our circumstances, we can all find new ways to live boldly — together.
For the latest information on the District Government’s response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), please visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
