The All-Africa Stucents Unian (AASU), a continental Students' movement and the umbrella body for all national students' unions in Africa, has expressed interest in a case involving a student activist, Comrade Siriman Niaré, in a letter to the Interim President of Mali, Colonel Assimi Goïta.

Comrade Niaré was said to have been arrested after a fight between some student activists of the Association of Pupils and Students of Mali (AEEM) led to the death of their colleagues.


The letter addressed to the president through the Ambassador of Mali to Nigeria, was titled “Expression Of Interest in the case of Comrade Siriman Niaré “Demand for Expedited Trial & Release”.

The students appealed to the President to for speedy trial or lease of the suspect.


The letter read, “Kindly receive the compliments of the continental Students movement under the auspices of the All-Africa Students’ Union (AASU) – the umbrella body for all national students’ unions on the continent that includes Association of Pupils and Students of Mali (AEEM), and others.

“We write to respectfully convey our interest in solidarity with Comrade Siriman Niaré Comrade who is the Continental Secretary General of the CESA and Secretary General of the Association of Pupils and Students of Mali (AEEM) who was taken into custody for weeks now following an incident.

“Information made available to my office by other Leaders of both CESA and AEEM revealed that on February 28, 2024 on the hill of knowledge, a fight took place between activists of the Association of Pupils and Students of Mali (AEEM).

“Unfortunately, the situation caused the death of a friend from the Faculty of Economics and Management.

“We wish to at this point regret the unfortunate incidence and convey our heartfelt condolences to the Government and Peoples of Mali, as well as the family of the deceased – while anticipating measure to forestall future reoccurence.

“Finally – we write to officially request for immediate intervention and EXPRESS OUR INTEREST in the case of Comrade Siriman Niaré and his Demand for Expedited Trial and/or Release”, the students appealed.

The continental students thanked the president in anticipation of his kind immediate response.