Imam Mahmoud Dicko , a prominent religious figure and outspoken critic of the military junta in power in Bamako, has officially joined the Coalition of Forces for the Republic (CFR) , a newly formed movement created by Malian opposition members in exile. The CFR is issuing a clear call for "resistance" against the current authorities.

An exile and a complete break.

Imam Dicko's joining the coalition was confirmed by Ousmane Maïga, one of his close associates, who specified that the religious leader had agreed to be part of this coalition which began its activities this Thursday.

Imam Mahmoud Dicko, who has been residing in Algiers since December 2023, has not returned to Mali, as his relations with Colonel Assimi Goïta 's regime have deteriorated significantly. His presence in Algeria has further strained relations between Bamako and Algiers, with the junta accusing its neighbor of participating in the "destabilization" of Mali.

The objectives of the Coalition of Forces for the Republic (CFR)

The CFR presents itself as a "movement of democratic resistance and national safeguarding". Its founders — "active forces, intellectuals, political actors, republican military, social leaders and members of the diaspora" — unanimously denounce the current situation in the country.

In their statement, signed by their spokesperson, economist Étienne Fakaba Sissoko , the members of the CFR assert that:

“Mali is currently experiencing one of the most serious crises in its contemporary history. Our state is weakened, our people are suffering, our institutions are corrupted, and our sovereignty is captured by a toxic alliance of economic predation, kleptocratic militarization, and the manipulation of fear.”

Faced with what they consider to be a profound crisis, they declare that " resistance is no longer a moral option: it is a national duty ."

The main objectives of the CFR are as follows:

1. Put an end to the massacres of civilians and soldiers.
2. Open a national dialogue with Malian armed groups.
3. Restore fundamental freedoms.
4. To organize a short transition (18 months maximum) towards a legitimate constitutional order.

The Indispensability of Imam Dicko

Shortly before the CFR announcement, supporters of Imam Dicko published a statement entitled: "Why is Imam Mahmoud Dicko indispensable today?".

In this text, the signatories (the "sentinels of the Republic") highlight the major advantage of the religious leader:

"Because he possesses a social legitimacy that the transitional authorities do not. Unlike a military power imposed by force, Mahmoud Dicko derives his legitimacy from popular trust and his spiritual role."

It is worth noting that the imam initially supported the military who overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in August 2020, before quickly distancing himself from the junta.

The CFR also includes former Malian ministers and politicians among its members. However, for reasons of "security and strategy," some members prefer to remain anonymous for the time being.