Yeah did another interview with Al-Jazeera in which he answers questions about what should happen now that the coup is already done and Mali finds itself once again under the leadership of a military leader.

Yesterday, Sanogo, the new President, firmly asked all looters to bring back all that they had taken, saying: ” if it is not yours bring it back”. This gives me some hope that these individuals do mean well and that they will do as they have promised.

Now more than ever, our country Mali is in need of strong, honest, diplomatic leadership. We need someone who is willing to stand firm and resolve the issues of our brothers and sisters in the North without more bloodshed. We don’t need leaders that are brown-nosing the military leaders to their face and then behind their back publishing declarations on the internet and in newspapers denouncing the coup. We need someone who can work with this new government, making them understand what their personal position is but willing to work them to represent the true needs and values of all Malian people. We don’t want leaders that will further their own personal future but rather someone who will work with the current leadership to return control back to the people. Mali needs to once again make itself the beacon of democracy of West Africa. My hope is that this is a temporary situation and that the military leaders will make good on their promises and return power to our people.

It is also my hope that the situation in the North does not get worse. It is already bad enough for the 175000 refugees displaced. I cannot imagine the pain of being in a place unable to provide for my family the basic necessities like water, food and shelter. Yeah and his team have been attempting to raise refugee aid to help our displaced Malian brothers and sisters while the issue in the North plays out. We are calling on the international community to step up aid to these displaced people so that basic necessities like food, water and shelter are given them so that we don’t have a similar issue like that in Sudan and Somalia. Those interested in doing so through the Samake 2012 campaign may make anonymous donations to a trust that has been set up: Friends of Mali Trust, 472 East 4380 North Provo, Utah 84604.

As soon as the current violence ends in the North, a new need will arise: Helping those who have been displaced to return and resettle into productive lives.  In East and South Africa, many displaced populations have suffered for years – prohibited from finding local employment, they have become dependent upon western aid organizations. In some cases, these camps have witnessed second and even third generations growing up in these conditions.

Mali must be different. My people are strong and independent.   Beyond the immediate aid needed to sustain life, we also seek just enough aid to help families return to their formerly productive lives.

Yeah is determined to address the disease that led to the rebellion – the sense that many northerners have developed that they cannot share in the fortunes of a country that seeks their taxes but not their welfare.  All Malians – certainly including the Tuaregs of the North – can become full stakeholders in our country only if they have a voice about how their taxes are spent.

It will be essential on March 27th for these leaders to elect a temporary government that is made up of political leaders in Mali and not military personnel that are unfamiliar with the rule of effective governance. Yes, we do have leaders in Mali that have shown competence and it is time that those leaders be brought to the forefront.

May democracy prevail as it should. May the issues of the North be resolved with the least pain. We do not need more pain and suffering coming down on the Malian people. We need strong leadership and honest governance.

Vive la démocratie ! ( Long Live Democracy)
Vive le Mali ! ( Long Live Mali)
Divisés nous perdons tous ! Unis nous gagnons tous! (Divided we all lose! United we all win!)