March 30, 2012
Updated: April 2, 2012
Fifteen West African nations have given leaders of a coup in Mali 72 hours to relinquish power or face sanctions, the BBC reports.
“At this point, it is impossible to predict what the next 72 hours will hold,” said the field director for The Alliance in Mali, today. “Sanctions would include closing the borders as well as freezing the flow of money into the country.”
Our Mali field director has communicated with all Alliance workers in the country, advising them to “Be aware of this situation that has become more complicated, but not to panic or overreact.” Workers are preparing contingency plans in the event evacuation from the country is necessary.
Evacuations Advised for Some
“One of the big questions is whether the closing of the borders will include civilians crossing into other countries,” he said. Alliance workers in situations where a border closing would have a big impact on their families have been advised to leave, including families with children who attend Dakar Academy.
Mali MKs (missionary kids)—who attend Dakar Academy, and who were unable able to return to the country for their Spring Break following last week’s coup—had just returned to Mali on Wednesday (March 28). Today, Mali’s Alliance Field Leadership Team advised these MKs’ families to travel to another country for the remainder of the Spring Break to ensure the students can return to school.
“Pray for great grace and wisdom,” our Alliance field director in Mali requested, “and leading from the Lord as we make decisions about how we should respond to this developing situation.”
What You Can Do
Make a Donation to the Great Commission Fund; partner with Alliance workers who are often in places where they have opportunity to share the peace of Christ with those living in crisis.
Read “Ecowas Gives Mali Leaders Ultimatum to Relinquish Power,” a BBC article about the current crisis. Note: Clicking on this link will take you off of the C&MA Web site.