In Gao, a tribute was paid on Wednesday July 12 to the victims during the occupation of the region in 2012 and the various demonstrations.
According to Amadou Sarr, administrator of Gao’s civil resistance movements, “some young people were killed by the MNLA, others by the various forces present in Gao during the demonstrations. There are the victims of Minusma who are part of it. There are three of them. There were also three deaths during the march of July 12, 2016 against the interim authorities”.
The ceremony was marked by the delivery of certificate attesting the act of heroism to the relatives of the victims and the wounded. A stele in homage to the martyrs was also inaugurated. According to Col. A. Didier, representative of the Barkhane Force, today’s ceremony participates in the recognition of the victims of the conflict. “I think we are going in the right direction with this recognition. It is indispensable. Then we must continue to work together for peace”, he said.
For civil society actors, many questions remain unanswered until now. “Was the truth told after these deaths?” Were the victims’ families compensated? Has the State of Mali with its partners of the international community taken measures of reform so that 2012 will not happen again?” Asked Arouna Touré, a member of the civil society. According to him, “there has been no response from 2012 to the present day”.
The ceremony was held in front of the governorate of Gao and saw the participation of community leaders, religious leaders, administrative and military leaders.