Too Few to Take On Mali Militants - WSJ
The campaign to liberate Northern Mali has hit a snag says the Wall Street Journal (WSJ),Neither Mali nor its neighbours appear ready to send soldiers into a land war, against battle hardened islamist militants and terrorists.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Too-Few-to-Take...
The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution giving West African states 45 days to plan to retake Mali's north, it has been requesting a planof action for months. The US and France are pressing Ecowas following the Benghazi attack and the death of US diplomats to which Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQMI) is linked.
The EU wants to utilise the strategy used in Somalia in Mali. Representatives from theUS,UN,France and African governments will meet in Bamako on Friday to planthe next move.
The divisions and uncertainty in Bamkao betweenthe ex Junta, the government and other political parties have so far delayed any action to liberate the north.Mali's army lacks training and equipment and many feel it is not up to the task.
The US and France will assist the Ecowas deployment logistically but will not send their troops., although the WSJ quotes US officials as saying that the US will keep the possibility of targeted strikes open. Thereare also questions about the Ecowas force's capability, it is generally agreed the 3,000 troops will not be enough and Nigeria has suggested 5,000 would be a more realistic number and is lobbying Senegal to increase its number of troops.The Ecowas countries other than Nigeria are unlikely to provide more than token contingents. South Africa and Chad havesaid they are ready to contribute troops. Algeria and Mauritania have said theywillnot be involved militarily. As a commentator said no one is willing to "own" the problem of Mali,that is to take charge
of the situation.
As the WSJ points out the area between Mali and Libya is vast-it is bigger than the length of India and terrorists and smugglers trading weapons and drugs roam freely.The Pandora's box once opened, will be difficult to close.
The EU wants to utilise the strategy used in Somalia in Mali. Representatives from theUS,UN,France and African governments will meet in Bamako on Friday to planthe next move.
The divisions and uncertainty in Bamkao betweenthe ex Junta, the government and other political parties have so far delayed any action to liberate the north.Mali's army lacks training and equipment and many feel it is not up to the task.
The US and France will assist the Ecowas deployment logistically but will not send their troops., although the WSJ quotes US officials as saying that the US will keep the possibility of targeted strikes open. Thereare also questions about the Ecowas force's capability, it is generally agreed the 3,000 troops will not be enough and Nigeria has suggested 5,000 would be a more realistic number and is lobbying Senegal to increase its number of troops.The Ecowas countries other than Nigeria are unlikely to provide more than token contingents. South Africa and Chad havesaid they are ready to contribute troops. Algeria and Mauritania have said theywillnot be involved militarily. As a commentator said no one is willing to "own" the problem of Mali,that is to take charge
of the situation.
As the WSJ points out the area between Mali and Libya is vast-it is bigger than the length of India and terrorists and smugglers trading weapons and drugs roam freely.The Pandora's box once opened, will be difficult to close.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Too-Few-to-Take...