Nato forces needed in Mali:Thomas Boni Yayi, AU.
The African Union's chairman Thomas Boni Yayi has called for Nato to send forces to Mali to help fight militant Islamists who have captured the north.The Malian conflict was an "international question" and Nato should intervene just as it had done in Afghanistan, Mr Yayi said, AFP reported.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Nato-forces-nee...
He distinguished between the threat posed by terrorists such as AQIM and Mujao to the international community and the rebels who should be dealt with by an African force.
ECOWAS has prepared an intervention force of 3,300 African troops from Nigeria,Niger,Togo and Ghana. Chad has also been suggested as part of the intervention force. European countries have promised advisers to train the Malian army and provide logistical support. Morocco has said that it is prepared to send a force of 300 commandos.
Mr Thomas Boni Yayi Yayi, is President of Benin. He called for Nato intervention after talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa.
The suggestion that Nato should play a part in Mali could be seen as controversial because it has been blamed for not controlling access to Gaddafi's armouries following its intervention in Libya. This resulted in Tuaregs who fought for Gaddafi returning to Mali equipped with heavy weaponary beginning the action which allowed them and the terrorists to take control of the North of the country.
Ansar Dine and the MNLA are due to participate in talks with the government in Ouagadougou capital of Burkino Faso on Friday under the chairmanship of President Blaise Campaore who is the ECOWAS mediator. Ansar Dine cancelled its offer of a cease fire to the Malian governement and its fighters were reported to have clashed with Malian troops close to Mopti yesterday. In practice it may become increasingly difficult to separate the Tuareg forces of Ansar Dine from the Jihadis of AQIM and Mujao. Ansar Dine said it would distanceitself from AQIM but they have been closely linked to AQIM joiningwiththem todrive out the other Tuareg group the MNLA fromthe towns in the North.
ECOWAS has prepared an intervention force of 3,300 African troops from Nigeria,Niger,Togo and Ghana. Chad has also been suggested as part of the intervention force. European countries have promised advisers to train the Malian army and provide logistical support. Morocco has said that it is prepared to send a force of 300 commandos.
Mr Thomas Boni Yayi Yayi, is President of Benin. He called for Nato intervention after talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa.
The suggestion that Nato should play a part in Mali could be seen as controversial because it has been blamed for not controlling access to Gaddafi's armouries following its intervention in Libya. This resulted in Tuaregs who fought for Gaddafi returning to Mali equipped with heavy weaponary beginning the action which allowed them and the terrorists to take control of the North of the country.
Ansar Dine and the MNLA are due to participate in talks with the government in Ouagadougou capital of Burkino Faso on Friday under the chairmanship of President Blaise Campaore who is the ECOWAS mediator. Ansar Dine cancelled its offer of a cease fire to the Malian governement and its fighters were reported to have clashed with Malian troops close to Mopti yesterday. In practice it may become increasingly difficult to separate the Tuareg forces of Ansar Dine from the Jihadis of AQIM and Mujao. Ansar Dine said it would distanceitself from AQIM but they have been closely linked to AQIM joiningwiththem todrive out the other Tuareg group the MNLA fromthe towns in the North.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Nato-forces-nee...