From Bamako, the family of detained Malian MP Mamadou Awa Gassama has made a heartfelt public appeal to Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, seeking clemency and urging for calm and solidarity between the people of Mali and Ivory coast.
During a press briefing held in the Malian capital, a spokesperson for the Gassama Diaby family delivered three key messages to clarify their stance and ease tensions surrounding Gassama’s detention in Abidjan.
The first message conveyed a formal apology to President Ouattara, his political allies, and the Ivorian public. The family expressed regret for any misunderstanding or unintended offense that may have arisen in the course of this sensitive political matter. “These regrets are aligned with respect and goodwill,” the spokesperson affirmed, emphasizing the family’s commitment to peace and mutual respect.
Secondly, the family reiterated Mamadou Awa Gassama’s history of support for Côte d’Ivoire and President Ouattara. “Mamadou Awa Gassama has no enmity toward Ivory coast or President Ouattara,” the spokesperson stated, citing his active role during the Ivorian president’s 2011 campaign. Photographic and video evidence, they added, confirms his involvement as a political ally in Mali at that time. The remarks currently under scrutiny, the family insists, were made within a political context and should not be misinterpreted.
The third message was a passionate call for African unity and solidarity. The family appealed to all who support pan-African ideals to offer legal and moral support. They clarified that Gassama is acting independently and has not been influenced by the Malian state. “Wisdom and restraint in speech are encouraged,” the spokesperson urged, in order to avoid further escalation.
Having spent a week in Côte d’Ivoire, the spokesperson praised the professionalism of the Ivorian judiciary and expressed full confidence in its impartial handling of the case.
The family underscored their commitment to truth and transparency, while also calling on the media and public to approach the situation with sensitivity and understanding.
Amid growing political tensions, the Gassama family hopes this appeal will foster dialogue and help preserve the long-standing bonds between Mali and Côte d’Ivoire. They urged all parties to focus on the shared values of African unity, cooperation, and justice during this challenging time.
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