In the city of Gao this Friday, June 30, shops, services or banks remained closed. Three weeks after the last demonstration, the inhabitants maintain the pressure and still require the departure of the governor of the region.
“We are asking for his departure for several reasons. First, on July 12, 2016, the governor gave an authorization to prevent a demonstration where three young people died unnecessarily. Almost a year ago, there were no judgments or investigations. And the governor was not removed when it is part of the first point of demand of the youth”, says Hamèye Mahamane Maïga, a demonstrator.
Members of civil society are also demanding the governor’s departure for “his bad governance and his lack of consideration for the people”.
They are determined to carry out their demands to the end if they do not find satisfaction. “This is the first time we have a sit-in, it’s different from looting. We will modernize the movements. At this moment the road of Ansongo is blocked, there is an important group in Wabaria. That means that the vehicles do not go to Gossi. The vehicles return to Gao but they do not leave. The market is closed, services also. We won’t stop until the unconditional departure of the governor of Gao”, says Ibrahim Arouna, member of the organization commission of the sit-in.
At the beginning of June, an association filed a complaint against the current governor following the violent demonstrations against the interim authorities in July 2016 in Gao.