Paris Pushing for Risky Intervention in Mali-Spiegel
Northern Mali is becoming a base for Al Qaeda linked terrorists. The untrained and ill equipped Malian military and the ongoing political chaos in the capital, mean that there is little agreement on what should be done to bring peace and the rule of law to the region. France is in favour of quick action, but most of its allies are sceptical, Spiegel writes.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Paris-Pushing-f...
Cheick Modibo Diarra's forced resignation could intensify the political crisis in Bamako and it is not clear who really speaks for Mali amongst the warring factions,the magazine says.There is norelaiable contact for international partners asplans for the military intervention goahead. The campaign is unlikely to start before September and the divisons within the Malian army, which is subject to both tribal and power struggles makes the prospect of armed intervention in the north dangerous Spiegel says as the army failed to stand up to the Tuareg rebels a year ago.
France, however, concerned over terrorist threats to its own territory and the French hostages being held by AQIM and Mujao wants intervention as soon as possible. The rest of Europe and the United Nations are more inclined to take time over the matter and allow the force of 400 training troops to train the Malian forces.French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian pointed out that France's security is at stake and that failure to act against the terrorist bases in Mali would also threaten Europe.France also has plans to develop uranium mines in Mali as well as its mining operations in Niger. France's energy installations are driven by nuclear power and the area is
the main source of uranium,Spiegel points out.
However UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a report to the Security Council said that military action should bea last resort. He called for a "broad-based political dialogue" with the Tuaregs in the north. He also has doubts about the effectiveness of the military intervention plan and does not consider the Malian army in its current state to be an effective fighting force against battle hardened rebels and terrorists who are experienced in desert warfare . The lack of clear government in Bamako is also hindering negotiations with the Tuareg goups Ansar Dine and the MNLA in the North. An expert interviewed by Spiege concludes that to deploy the unreformed Malianarmy in the north of Mali would be fatal as it lacks cohesion as a fighting force.
France, however, concerned over terrorist threats to its own territory and the French hostages being held by AQIM and Mujao wants intervention as soon as possible. The rest of Europe and the United Nations are more inclined to take time over the matter and allow the force of 400 training troops to train the Malian forces.French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian pointed out that France's security is at stake and that failure to act against the terrorist bases in Mali would also threaten Europe.France also has plans to develop uranium mines in Mali as well as its mining operations in Niger. France's energy installations are driven by nuclear power and the area is
the main source of uranium,Spiegel points out.
However UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a report to the Security Council said that military action should bea last resort. He called for a "broad-based political dialogue" with the Tuaregs in the north. He also has doubts about the effectiveness of the military intervention plan and does not consider the Malian army in its current state to be an effective fighting force against battle hardened rebels and terrorists who are experienced in desert warfare . The lack of clear government in Bamako is also hindering negotiations with the Tuareg goups Ansar Dine and the MNLA in the North. An expert interviewed by Spiege concludes that to deploy the unreformed Malianarmy in the north of Mali would be fatal as it lacks cohesion as a fighting force.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Paris-Pushing-f...