Hopes for swift end to Mali crisis

With very good reason, the world is against the Islamic militant forces who are seeking to take over Mali. France acted swiftly when the beleaguered Government of its former colony sought help and sent in 750 troops backed by air power with more to come; for once the United Nations Security Council lived up to its name and unanimously backed the French action; the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Germany have either provided support to the operation or promised to do so; West African nations have promised troops.
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t is not hard to see why. The original insurgents, Tuareg tribes in the north of the country seeking to establish their own state, have been infiltrated by Islamic militants from other parts of Africa – for instance, al-Shabab, one of the main rebel groups, is Somali-based.

The initial aim of northern independence has been replaced by a campaign to take over the entire country, subjecting it to a harsh version of Islamic law. This has already begun in the areas controlled by the rebels with reports of mutilations and executions for offences real or imagined, usually for supporting the government.

A radical Islamic state in the middle of West Africa would certainly have a destabilising effect on the entire region, while providing a new base in which terrorist groups would train and from where they could strike.

Yet just 12 months ago Mali, although one of the poorest nations in Africa, had been held up as a model of democracy. Since 1992, presidents have been elected, served their terms and stood down when the constitution required it. However, the Tuareg insurgency destabilised the Government led by Amandou Toure leading to a short-lived military coup, then a return to civilian administration.

Taking advantage of this confusion, Islamic radicals, many fleeing Libya at the end of its civil war, established themselves in the north, expelled government troops and began to move on the capital, Bamako, leading to French President Francois Hollande’s decision to intervene.  

Hollande will be hoping for a swift victory and his elite Legionnaires will probably provide it once enough of them get on the ground. However, while most of the fighting is still being done by Malian Government forces, the rebels continue to hold their own and even make small advances, despite the presence of French air power. An attempt to retake the strategic centre of Konna has so far failed.

Meanwhile, the rebels are threatening to execute French citizens they have detained in northern Mali while militants have called for jihad against French people and property in France and throughout the world. For the time being at least, the international community has to face the reality of yet another flashpoint of crisis.