INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION-AFRICA CONDEMNS THE MILITARY COUP IN MALI

 
                                           PRESS STATEMENT


ITUC-AFRICA CONDEMNS THE MILITARY COUP IN MALI

The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUCAfrica), representing over 16 million working men and women organised across the different
economic sectors in  46 African countries condemns in strong terms the coup  reportedly
staged  in the late hours of Wednesday 21 March, 2012 by renegade military personnel in
Mali, which has led to the displacement of the democratically elected and constitutionally
recognised government of President Amadou Toumani Toure.

This development is grossly retrogressive and unacceptable.  To think that the country has
been steadily and preparing for the Presidential election next month shows the disdain of
the persons involved in this cowardly action of a coup for constitutionalism and the rule of
law. Clearly, it represents a drawback in the gains made to consolidate democracy in Mali in
particular and Africa in general.

ITUC-Africa supports the Economic Community of West Africa states (ECOWAS), the African
Union (AU) and the International Community as a whole in the rejection of the military junta
in Bamako. We ask that the  community of nations also take urgent and decisive steps to
ensure the peaceful and quick restoration of the constitutional order in Mali.

Reports also reaching us suggest that some buildings of non-military and non-governmental
organisations are being torched. Particularly, we have been informed that the offices of the
Union Nationale des Travailleurs du Mali (UNTM), a trade union organisation affiliated to
ITUC-Africa has been attacked and set ablaze by rampaging renegade soldiers.

ITUC-Africa strongly condemns such actions that put defenceless and law abiding citizens
and organisations and their properties at risk. We call on the Malian military and the other
security outfits to  prevent the situation from degenerating into anarchy and bloodletting.

We demand that the physical and psychological integrity of citizens and civilians be ensured
and guaranteed.
Kwasi Adu-Amankwah
General Secretary
ITUC - Africa


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