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Mali’s first president, Modibo Keita, encouraged citizens to push the country forward when he took office in 1960, after decades of French rule, and precipitated a moment many remember as one of industry and hope.
But 60 years later, the optimism of the post-independence era has given way to chronic instability in Mali, which is rife with corruption, poverty and a deadly jihadist conflict.
The remaining members of Modibo Keita’s family, nostalgic for his time in office, assiduously keep the memory of the former president alive.
“He is the father of independence, he is the national father, he is the father of all Malians,” says the daughter of former president Hatouma Keita, from the family home in the old town of the capital, Bamako.
He has hung a flag from his home in Bamako, as well as posters with his father’s image for the country’s independence day celebrations on Tuesday. Curious passersby stop to take a look.
After coming to power on September 22, 1960, Keita made his mark by pursuing socialist policies and major development projects.
The remaining members of Modibo Keita’s family are nostalgic for his time in office. By MICHELE CATTANI (AFP) “Tomatoes, soldier boots, milk, matches, textiles, everything used to be made here,” says Maimouna Diakite, Keita’s adopted daughter.
However, the Keita government was not without criticism at the time, and its economic policies drew a strong backlash.
The president was overthrown in 1968 by Moussa Traore, a young army lieutenant, and was arrested in 1977.
Traore, who died last week at age 83, ruled Mali with an iron fist for 22 years, a time during which few mentioned Keita, Diakite said, and many of the former president’s family members fled.
But Keita’s memory began to return to public consciousness after the army toppled Traore in 1991.
Governments built a monument in his honor and named an airport and stadium in his honor.
‘Above the rest’
Fatoumata Keita Diallo, the former leader’s third elderly wife, says the former president was “above the rest” politically.
“We need to find another Modibo Keita now, but he won’t find one,” Diallo said, alluding to Mali’s latest political crisis.
A handful of young officers toppled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in a military coup on August 18, after months of protests against him in the country.
A soldier prepares to play in a parade for a ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of Mali’s independence in Bamako on Tuesday. By MICHELE CATTANI (AFP) Those protests were sparked in part by Mali’s inability to quell a brutal Islamist insurgency that first emerged in 2012 and has since spread to neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso.
Mali has less hope today than when Keita took office 60 years ago.
“All Malians must consider themselves mobilized for the construction of the Republic of Mali, the homeland of all those who are firmly committed to achieving African independence and unity,” he said at the time.
For her adopted daughter Diakite, the achievement of that ambition is in doubt.
“Are we even independent today?” she asks.
