A group of intellectuals in Mali has launched a campaign against any what they called foreign military intervention in Côte d’Ivoire, saying it could trigger a civil war and cause untold sufferings for the people.
In a statement made available to journalists here Wednesday, they said such intervention could also destabilize the entire sub-region, calling it a “distressing precedent created by non-Africans in the internal affairs of young African countries “.
They therefore urged the government of Mali not to take part in any armed intervention.
Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have warned they would use legitimate force to oust incumbent Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo if he fails to step down and allow the presumed winner of the 28 Nov. presidential rerun to assume office.
It is not clear whether or not the Malian intellectuals were referring to the threat by the 15-member sub-regional group.
Some two million Malians reside in Cote d’Ivoire
