Kunnafonidilaw Ka Minɛni

Intro

On April 6, 2023, Malian journalist Aliou Touré disappeared in Bamako after co-hosting a press conference calling for the release of fellow journalist Ras Bath. Touré, who directs the newspaper Le Démocrate, remained missing for four days. He reappeared "safe and sound" on the evening of April 10, but the circumstances of his disappearance were unknown. According to his colleagues, he was taken by armed, hooded men to an undisclosed location.

The case triggered outcry and raised questions about press freedom and state accountability in Mali. At a press conference the following day, Bandiougou Danté, president of the Maison de la Presse du Mali, denounced the abduction and criticized the transitional government's inability to protect journalists.

Shortly afterward, Danté appeared on Mɔgɔ Weelelenw (“Called People”), a daily segment on RFI Mandenkan, to share his perspective. The 4-minute interview featured here was recorded by phone and aired on April 13, 2023.

The original transcription comes from Mali-Pense. I have edited the transcription for clarity and changed a number of mistakes or interpretations that I disagreed with. The English language translation is my own.

Listen

Watch the video without the subtitles. If they are on, click on the little "CC" symbol and turn them off.

Listen and Read

Now turn on the subtitles in Bambara/Jula (click on the little "CC" button) and read along.

If you are lost, you can also switch it into English and then re-watch in Bambara/Jula.

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List of Selected Grammar Points

Coming later

Grammar Points Explained

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