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.

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