WHAT ARE WE MARCHING FOR? ANTI-ISRAELI PROTESTERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAMAKO 000015 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2019 TAGS: PREL KISL KPAL SMIG ML SUBJECT: WHAT ARE WE MARCHING FOR? ANTI-ISRAELI PROTESTERS LATCH ON TO MARCH AGAINST FRENCH IMMIGRATION POLICY Classified By: Political Officer Aaron Sampson, Embassy Bamako, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 1.(U) On January 8 one Muslim leader in Bamako latched on to a demonstration originally planned to protest French immigration policy to voice criticism of Israel and the United States. The march, which began in front of the French Cultural Center and ended at the Ministry of Malians Living Abroad, was organized by former Minister of Culture and prominent social activist Aminata Dramane Traore and the association of Malian deportees. The march was intended to condemn French immigration policy and urge the Malian government not to sign an accord setting a quota on work permits for Malians in return for Mali's help in the deportation of undocumented Malians from France. 2.(SBU) It was unclear whether Traore and the Malian deportees association intended to share the spotlight with a Muslim group led by Mohamed Kimbiri, or were simply seeking to boost the number of participants by extending an invitation to Kimbiri. Either way, the combination produced a rather eclectic selection of signs and slogans, ranging from "Israel Assassin" to "No to the deportation of Malians from France." 3.(U) The local newspaper le Republicain quoted Traore, who is a leader of West Africa's anti-globalization movement and owner of a well-known restaurant and high-end art gallery in Bamako that caters to western tourists, as saying: "If we condemn Israel, let's have the courage to denounce the USA which allows everything to happen on planet earth." Traore also reportedly told the crowd that Israel's "systematic assassination of Palestinian children" would not be possible without the support of the world's major powers. "At the same time that we march to condemn Israeli assassinations in Palestine," continued Traore, "we condemn France which wants to impose, one way or another, an agreement on migratory movements and interdependent development with Mali." The president of deported Malians, Ousmane Diarra, then took the microphone to denounce what he described as France's attempt to enlist Malians' support for "massive deportations." 4.(U) Mohamed Kimbiri, the president of the Muslim group AISLAM and a member of Mali's High Islamic Council, followed Diarra to denounce Israel and express support for the Palestinian people. "Profoundly shocked by this ignoble and inhuman act," said Kimbiri, "the Muslim community of Mali offers its solidarity and compassion to the families of innocent victims." Kimbiri denounced the "silence" of international human rights organizations and the UN. "The Muslims of Mali," he continued, "demand an immediate cease-fire and the unconditional retreat of the Zionist occupying army from Gaza." A prayer was then offered by Imam Bandjougou Doukoure. 5.(SBU) Only one other newspaper in Bamako, the opposition daily Info-Matin, covered the march. However, Info-Matin's article made no mention of the anti-Israeli, pro-Palestinian aspect and portrayed the demonstration as entirely focused on French immigration policy. An estimated 400 people participated in the peaceful demonstration which was flanked by security forces in riot gear. Most of the participants appeared to be supporters of Aminata Dramane Traore and members of the association of Malian deportees. The religious representation seemed to consist primarily of veiled women who often turn out for these kinds of events. 6.(C) Comment: The response in Mali to events in Gaza has been relatively muted. This could be because Mali - unlike neighboring Senegal and Mauritania - has no Israeli Embassy and no diplomatic relations with Israel. A more likely explanation, however, is that Malians are more concerned with issues closer to home, such as increased instability created by recent Tuareg rebel attacks. Kimbiri was the only prominent Muslim leader who participated in the January 8 rally. It was surprising that Kimbiri, who is a close Embassy contact and recently wrote an interesting op-ed for a Malian paper denouncing Tuareg rebel incursions, waited until now to express support for Palestine since he is usually rather quick to turn out his AISLAM members whenever an opportunity presents itself. Apart from yesterday's rather bizarre, anti-French and anti-Israeli demonstration, the only other Malian statements of support for Palestine have come in the form of communiques issued by various local political parties including the majority Alliance for Democracy in Mali (ADEMA),the African Solidary for Democracy and Independence (SADI) party, and the Party for National Renewal (PARENA). SADI and PARENA's statements specifically condemned both Israel and the United States. Palestine's Ambassador to Mali and dean of the local diplomatic corps visited PARENA on January 8 to thank the party for its support. BAMAKO 00000015 002 OF 002 LEONARD