A Malian risks his life for someone's hand
He helped prevent the public amputation of the hand of a suspected cattle thief by Islamists in northern Mali. His name is Abdul Malick Maiga. Last weekend, the 32-year-old host of Radio Adaar Khoïma in Gao, mobilised the youth of his town in a successful protest against the inhumane excesses of the Sharia law introduced by the ‘occupiers’.
This courageous act almost cost Maiga his life. He is currently in intensive care after he was brutally beaten up by militants of the Islamist group MUJAO (Unity Movement for Jihad in West Africa).
“I am still in hospital. The pain has subsided and I feel better now,” he said yesterday in a telephone interview with RNW.
What happened after the broadcast of your call for popular protest against the public amputation ordered by the Islamists?
“Last Sunday, I was in the studio to present the news bulletin. I had barely started a live interview that Islamists stormed into the studio weapons in hand. Without asking any questions, the first one hit me in the back. They began to hit me all over the body, shouting: ‘you keep criticising us! This is your last day. You will be silenced. It’s over’.”
[related-articles]“They put me in a car and drove towards the cemetery. There they took me out and continued to beat me. As they were leaving me to die, I heard one of them say: ‘let’s put him into the hole!’ I think they dug a hole for me before going to the station.”
“After they left, another car came and took me to hospital. I was covered in blood. Thank God.”
Has this brutal intimidation changed your attitude towards your profession? Do you intend to continue working as a journalist?
“I do not see any reason why I wouldn’t want to continue my work as a journalist. I do it for the people, for those without a voice. The whole population in the region is behind me: the youth, the women, everyone.”
“I was deeply moved by the population’s support. They burned down the car and the house of the militant who lead the assault. There are great tensions between the populations and the Islamists.”
Is your Radio Adaar Khoïma still broadcasting?
“Yes, our radio station is still operating, but in fear. It is not the government that guarantees the safety of these vulnerable populations. It is the youths who stand guard at the door with sticks to assure our safety. It is God and them. We are truly grateful to them.”
The Malian government has declared its commitment to press freedom. What are your expectations?
“The government is in Bamako (the capital) and not in northern Mali. That’s the problem! Since the capture of Gao on 31 March 2012 by Islamist armed groups, the government has not sent a single delegation to assist the vulnerable populations of Gao and Timbuktu. The occupied regions have been completely abandoned and here people blame the government.”
“Mali is being occupied by Islamists and other armed groups. It doesn’t make sense to condemn it whilst sitting in Bamako!”
This weekend the amputation of a hand was prevented in Gao. But is it to say that such punishments will disappear?
“The threat is permanent. All those who do oppose the MUJAO are threatened via messages, over the phone or at home. Everyone is threatened here.”