Mali and ECOWAS sign an agreement but France is impatient
Mali and the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) have signed an "agreement" on the conditions for the deployment of an African force in Mali, with headquarters in Bamako yesterday Mali AFP and RFI report.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Mali-and-ECOWAS...
The Ivorian Minister Defense Paul Koffi Koffi alongside his Malian counterpart Yamoussa Camara, confirmed.that Mali and ECOWAS were '"in phase " for ECOWAS troop operations in Mali and that Bamako would be the base for ECOWAS troops reversing the Malian government's objections on the matter.
He said that the Mallan government did not regard ECOWAS as a foreign foce and also agreed that Bamako had to be the logistical centre for ECOWAS troops.Malian Minister of Defence, Yamoussa Camara confirmed that the ECOWAS troops headquarters would be in Bamako.
The deployment of ECOWAS troops now awaits the green light from the UN and will be discussed on the 26 September at a lmeeting on the sahel on thesidelines of the UN General Assembly.
France and allies are working on an intervention to rid the region of the terrorist threat, Le Figaro reports. the idea
of Intervention in Mali now has general consensus and European governments are now working on a plan to rid Mali and the Sahel of the terrorist threat.
Years bogged down in Afghanistan and budgetary co0nstraints is limiting French forces to a multi lateral role based on the ECOWAS intervention force but the us of special forces is part of the overall picture and some 1400 French special forces have been deployed in the Sahel with additional French navy commandos in the pipeline.A survellance operation will be mounted from a base in Niger and maritime patrol aircraft. Germany and poland will help with intellegence operations and America has promisted support but will not take a leading role. Algeria is against any foreign intervention in the Sahel and its attitude troubles the French.
France cannot be seen to be taking a leading role because of the hostages situation but the armed forces of Niger and the Sahel have ad they would be willing to fight alongside Mali and ECOWAS. France has military bases in Chad and their soldiers have a fierce if slightly undisciplined reputation. It is felt that ECOWAS will not be able to form the core of the intervention and will be at best a buffer zone. the African Union may also become involved.
A delicate balance will have to be maintained but Mali's wish to be left alone to reconquer the North with its army is unlikely to be met. AQIM and Mujao only have perhaps four to five thousand followers and their ability to fight and control the population in the North may be in question. It is,experts reflect an operation which may take time.
He said that the Mallan government did not regard ECOWAS as a foreign foce and also agreed that Bamako had to be the logistical centre for ECOWAS troops.Malian Minister of Defence, Yamoussa Camara confirmed that the ECOWAS troops headquarters would be in Bamako.
The deployment of ECOWAS troops now awaits the green light from the UN and will be discussed on the 26 September at a lmeeting on the sahel on thesidelines of the UN General Assembly.
France and allies are working on an intervention to rid the region of the terrorist threat, Le Figaro reports. the idea
of Intervention in Mali now has general consensus and European governments are now working on a plan to rid Mali and the Sahel of the terrorist threat.
Years bogged down in Afghanistan and budgetary co0nstraints is limiting French forces to a multi lateral role based on the ECOWAS intervention force but the us of special forces is part of the overall picture and some 1400 French special forces have been deployed in the Sahel with additional French navy commandos in the pipeline.A survellance operation will be mounted from a base in Niger and maritime patrol aircraft. Germany and poland will help with intellegence operations and America has promisted support but will not take a leading role. Algeria is against any foreign intervention in the Sahel and its attitude troubles the French.
France cannot be seen to be taking a leading role because of the hostages situation but the armed forces of Niger and the Sahel have ad they would be willing to fight alongside Mali and ECOWAS. France has military bases in Chad and their soldiers have a fierce if slightly undisciplined reputation. It is felt that ECOWAS will not be able to form the core of the intervention and will be at best a buffer zone. the African Union may also become involved.
A delicate balance will have to be maintained but Mali's wish to be left alone to reconquer the North with its army is unlikely to be met. AQIM and Mujao only have perhaps four to five thousand followers and their ability to fight and control the population in the North may be in question. It is,experts reflect an operation which may take time.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Mali-and-ECOWAS...