Tiécoro Bagayoko

Tiécoro Bagayoko was a Malian soldier and attempted putschist. He rose to power as a key figure in the 1968 Malian coup d'état, becoming the director of the National Security Services of Mali. As director, Bagayoko's regime was known for its wanton brutality and suppression of opposition. He was arrested in 1978, and sentenced to hard labor in Taoudenni prison camp where he died in 1983.

Biography Bagayoko was born in Goundam, Tombouctou Region, Mali on July 19, 1937, as the son of Moussa Bagayoko and Mata Sadji Kossa, ethnic Bambara. He spent his childhood in Goundam, where his father served, later moving to Kayes and then Bamako with his family in the 1950s. Bagayoko led the capture of the People's Militia, and afterwards set off towards Koulikoro with Sissoko and Amadou Baba Diarra to arrest Keita. When the president's convoy was stopped at Massala, Bagayoko was the one who announced his capture. His words, "On behalf of the Military Committee of National Liberation, I ask you to climb into this armored vehicle." became famous in Mali.

Malian historian Bintou Sanankoua, relying on a refutation by Traore, stated in 1990 that Bagayoko's statement was a myth. In 2007, Sungalo Samake, who witnessed the arrest of Keita, affirmed Bagayoko stating those words. Malian journalist Sauti Haidara later stated Bagayoko "turned out to be the only man who, without blinking an eye, dared to tell the creator of Mali's independence that he was no longer president."

Director of National Security Services; Hawk and Salopards Bagayoko, as one of the leading members of the coup, became Director of National Security Services of the Military Committee for National Liberation, commanding the state security services and police. In a twist of irony, Bagayoko, who had previously reprimanded Keita for the massacre of opposition leaders, began his own crackdown on opposition leaders. In August 1969, just a few months into his tenure, Bagayoko discovered a coup plot from Captain Dibi Silas Diarra, who planned to overthrow the MCNL and return Mali to civilian rule. When prisoners in the camps complained, guards allegedly stated that the bottle cuts and electric shocks were not the only way; they could be run over instead, as "accidents as very common."

Officials under Bagayoko occasionally told him that people felt terrorized by him. In response, he stated "I'm not evil. It's just that Malians are afraid of me."

In January 1978, a leaflet titled "Mali, the government under the MCNL / An administration led by the Empress" was distributed throughout the country, criticizing Traore and his wife Miriam.

On February 28, Bagayoko, Doukara, and Dembele were all arrested on charges of plotting a coup. Moussa Traore, on a radio broadcast, accused the "gang of three"

On the morning of August 19, 1983, two soldiers approached Bagayoko and told him Camara was summoning him. Bagayoko told his cellmate Belko N'Die about this and, assuming his imminent death, dressed in the uniform of Djoliba AC, which he had previously run. His last words, according to Belko N'Die, were "The good lord will meet me. He will tell me 'Since you were born, what good did you do?' He will kick me, 'Bang!', and I will go to heaven. If I die, then you don't need to pray for me, because I don't pray for myself."

Pastime activities During his time as head of the security services, Bagayoko was also head of the Djoliba Athletic Club. Mali was banned form inter-African matches for a year due to corruption between Bagayoko and Malian referees. As a prisoner, Bagayoko insisted on his cellmates burying him in the Djoliba jersey.

Family Bagayoko was married in 1962 to Aïssata Keletigui DoumbiaHis first two children, Moussa and Mama, were with her. He then married Tenimba Diallo in 1970, with whom he gave birth to Mata Sadji, Fatouma, Aissata, and Mohamed. In 1976, Bagayoko married Néné Bayaba Sy, with whom he had Caty Assetou, who became famous for supporting Modibo Sidibé's 2011 election campaign. He also called Bagayoko the right-hand man of Traore, and a leading figure of the MCNL. However, Bagayoko is also seen as both the despot and the victim of a regime that did not respect human rights.