Mali: a “racist” mayor will be prosecuted

Prosecutions have been initiated by the Malian government against Etienne Poudiougou, the mayor of Koporona commune in the centre of the country.

Mr. Poudiougou is reproached for having ordered the Peuls to “leave” his commune within two days.

According to the manuscript “notice” dated April 12 and signed by the mayor with his stamp, “anyone who refuses is responsible for what will happen to him”.

The government immediately initiated a procedure for the suspension of the mayor and appealed to the public prosecutor for the purpose of diluting the prosecution.

In a statement released on Sunday, the government says it is deeply indignant at Mayor Poudiougou’s actions against the Fulani community.

A cross-community violence had killed about 50 people last March between Peuls and Dogons in the town of Koro, in the centre of the country.