In Bamako, Le Drian prepares for post conflict

The second priority is achievingreconciliation between the different factions in Mali and particularly the rights of theTuareg population in the north of Mali,Le Figaro reports. Whilst the MNLA presents itself as pro French it refused the presence of Malian troops in Kidal .However the Malian government is calling for the MNLA  to be disarmed which the MNLA are rejecting.

Four days ago a tructh and reconciliation committee was established but the members have yet to be named. There is also the vast problemof returning over 400,000 Malian refugees who fled the fighting to their homes.

France is also working to implement, with the support of the European Union, the training of the Malian army and the deployment of African troops to replace french forces.. This force will be created in the framework of the UN which still has to be agreed. The French army will only withdraw when this is settled.
 

France has other problems to face including the arrest of a French national of Algerian origin  fighting with the jihadists revealing a  terrorist network in France dedicted to sending jihadists to Mali. The danger of future attacks in France remains real. Le Figaro reports that simcards abandoned by islamist fighters revealed calls to France and have resulted in the arrest of two young men. There is also the pressing problem of the French hostages in Mali and West Africa.