France pushes Mali for national reconciliation

France's foreign minister has urged Mali's government to begin a process of reconciliation, assuring the war-torn country of continued military support. Laurent Fabius said security was essential but so was restoring democratic dialogue, Le Figaro reported. The French foreign minister also reassured acting president Dioncounda Traore and prime minister Diango Cissoko that France would not leave "overnight" and that a force of 1,000 French troops would remain in Mali until the end of the year.

Uncertainty in the north of Mali because of continued guerilla activity by terrorists and the refusal of the MNLA to disarm and cede control in Kidal to the Malian government remain problematic. Laurent Fabius insisted that the MNLA  must disarm.The return of refugees to the north will add to the complications for organsing elections and the reconcilation process.

The political developments will also have to conform with new military arrangements as the UN Security Council is due to approve the Minusma force to take over from the African force Misma in April. The force will comprise some 12,000 troops from Africa and possibly Asia and Scandinavia. The first completely trained battalion of the Malian army by EU militray trainers should be ready in July. Another major issue, funding development projects will be discussed at a donorsconference inBrussels on 15 May.