Mali workers in Paris help win release of jailed leader

Militant/Claude Bleton

BAGNOLET, France—Hundreds of workers from Mali held a sit-in outside the Malian consulate in this suburb of Paris May 6-11, to demand the release of Bakary Diambou, the spokesperson for the Association of the Circle of Yélimané Dagakané. Yélimané is a village in western Mali.

Diambou was imprisoned in Mali April 18 for “opposition to legitimate authority and inciting the population to non-payment of tax.” He was released on parole May 11 in response to protests there, in France and elsewhere. House arrest was also lifted for some 50 supporters of the group. The banner (above) reads, “No to injustice, no to insecurity, no to corruption.” Protesters said the association here helps raise medical and school supplies for Yélimané.

— CLAUDE BLETON AND DEREK JEFFERS