In this edition;

1. The International "Friends of Libya" Council meet in Paris at the invitation of President Sarkozy. Among the invitees are Presidents ATT and Wade, ATT as pivotal member of AU's Libya Committee and as President of a nation hosting the Tuareg community some of whom seek an autonomous enclave of their own to include territory in North Mali, South Algeria, Northwest Niger, and Southern Libya, and Wade as one of the first African countries to recognize the New Libya Transition Government.

In this news, President ATT shares perspectives on Mali's interests and considerations, which I appreciate, as reasons why Mali cannot casually recognize the New Libya Transition Government. He shared that Interim President AbdelJalil has reassured ATT that he will put a stop to the wholesale massacre of Malians and other Africans under the halo of Gadhafi mercenaries. I am encouraged by this reassurance on the part of the New Libya Transition Government and indeed I have begun to see concrete results of this promise. Havens of refuge have been created or allowed to form and humanitarian assistance is on the way to them. Indiscriminate shooting, violence, and killing has ceased, and many Libya police and regular army officers have re-engaged in their former roles albeit on the side of the New Libya Republic this time. I look forward to Mali's considered recognition of the Libya NTC to expedite this new order.

In ATT's narrative, I have also gleaned an opening which can enable the AU to finally recognize the Libya NTC en masse. Interim President AbdelJalil has comforted ATT that Libya is and will remain an African nation. And that the Libya NTC will do its part in stemming the tide of arms and munitions proliferation in the Sahel-Sahara region. Its a great day in the Sahel. You cannot but appreciate ATT's sober position on the behalf of Mali. A wise man.

2. The trial of those suspected of PLOTTING a coup attempt against Togo's Faure Gnasimbe is postponed until sept 6th, 2011. Some 32 persons including President Faure Gnasimbe's brother Patscha Gnasimbe and his half-brother and also Togo's former Chief of Defense staff. Defense lawyers insist that for their clients to be considered to be plotting a violent overthrow of the government, executions have to have already begun or at least attempted. This defense is plausible considering the ambiguity in PLOTTING. They will however have a hard time explaining away the huge cache of weapons seized during a raid on Patscha Gnasimbe's home. Good luck.
 
3. You remember the toxic dumping in Ivory Coast by Proboco Trafigura some time back????? Well cleaning and remediation is well underway and you will get an opportunity to see what the toxins did to some victims. Others have died (17), yet others host deadly life-altering toxins to be passed onto their children and grandchildren. President Ouattara is following through on his promise to not only remediate the dangers the toxins pose, but also to ensure victims are cared for and fully compensated. Thank you Ouattara. We could never even get Gabagabo to promise this. Not only that, the payments of Trafigura as compensation was siphoned off by Gabagabo and Ble Goude. Allah Boni.

4. Sukuro, Mali is now serious about the ominous gathering cloud of solid waste squatters in and around Bamako. They will be cleaned up and proper landfill facilities will be constructed to accomodate the ever-expanding communities. Bamako is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. It consists of 6 communes, each of which has a population of some 350,000 persons. So the population of Bamako by itself, is equal to the population of Gambia. Get a load o' that!!! The keywords for landfills are PROPER LINER and recovery of Biogas and Leacheate.

5. Mali marks World Traditional Medicine Day. I hope everyone will drop this idea of Traditional medicine. Just call it Medical Research. Medicine is only medicine. There is no such thing as traditional medicine. It either treats or cures ailments. There are no traditional and non-traditional ailments. Bacteria and viruses couldn't care less what your tradition is. As they are getting serious about indigenous medical research, I hope they quit talking about traditional medicine.

6. Mali, La-Guinea, and Senegal collaborate on rejuvenation the the biosphere at their common borders. This is exciting news particularly for me. Most of the problems of climate change and soil impoverishment can be traced to the destruction of virgin biosphere and associated ecologies.

7. An installment in the Algiers Accord. Development of North Mali communities and ensuring security. Also two new communities in Segou benefit from the UN's Millenium VIllages Project. Thank you UNDP and Segou.

8. PanAfrican Women's Organization gift food items to Refugee families.

9. Mali plays Cape Verde in the CAN 2012 qualifiers later today. Be sure to watch it live here. ATT championship supercup is also on the table for Malian soccer. Some of these keepers should go dog-catching. What tha khell??? i love Mali. Malians are funny people even when they play soccer. For ATT supercup!!!!!!!!

10. Malians train for the pilgrimmage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia!!!!!!! These Malians take this Hajj thing too seriously men. They have to train for the friggin Hajj?????????? Why can't the Saudis do the friggin training or you boycot their tourism industry. When I become President of Mali, I will require a 1 week training period prior to the beginning of the Hajj, and the training must take place in the Host Nation and at their friggin expense. What do you take me for? An idiot??

Please go to www.thegdp.org, click on Mali News from the News & Info sidebar and play on JT ORTM du 02 Sept. 2011.

Thank you.
Haruna. I love you all.