In Mali, a military coup led by
Islamic groups, with roots to Al Qaeda, and Tuareg rebels were able to
overthrow the democratically elected government. In it’s wake the interests of
the ethnic rebels have taken a back seat, and in the place of government are
two vying Islamic fascist groups; Ansar al Dine and The Movement for Unity and
Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO). In the
capital city of Bamako, some resemblance of the democratic government is in
place, but it is largely unpopular. The political mess is making any movement
on the insurgents extremely difficult, and the necessity for foreign help in
restoring order is becoming more evident.
I chose this article because Mali
was an emerging democracy, with contested elections and improving economic
conditions, an example of what good could happen in Africa. Now, outside of
Bamako, the government is overthrown and terrorist organizations are filling
the power vacuum. Sharia law is being imposed on many citizens, and as one
refugee stated, “For drinking, they cut off your head.” Political
liberalization is in a dead fall and it appears that much of the hope that was
emerging democracy for the country is now lost.
I could see
a couple of things happening. Foreign countries will have to act, and if they
take the advice of the Bumako leaders—aid will come in the form equipment and
aid. However, I believe that this al Qaeda and Toureg force is largely capable
of deterring the Bumako government regardless of the funds, and if such is the
case foreign countries will have to provide military aid in the form of boots
on the ground. Terrorist organizations, like al-Qaeda, cannot be allowed to
exert such domination over an area—where they can train fighters and fund
future militaristic excursions in its Jihad with the West. But, and as we have
seen in the past, when Western countries become involved in a region they often
incur the wrath of the locals, who see outsiders (“white men") as seeking
to exploit or regain control over their past imperial colonies. This in turn
may strengthen the rebel forces and allow for them to gain a greater presence
in the country. In the mean time, we will have to wait and see if the civilian
government in Bamako can get its act together.
Source:
http://www.economist.com/node/21563335
For how corrupt a lot of these African countries are, sometimes the government being overthrown isn't the best solution. The fact that beheading is now a punishment for drinking alcohol shows how much more of a totalitarian or authoritarian regime that Mali has become.
ReplyDeleteGrant-
ReplyDeleteI think we need to be careful with how we present information, as the coup is not Islamist in nature. It seems to be a secular military coup in response to an ethnic secessionist movement, which allowed for the emergence of an Islamic group in the separatist north. Also, is it fair to consider Mali an emerging democracy? It seems to have ranked highly by some democratic measures before this event.
I think Mali is more of a falling democracy than a emerging democracy. It was ranked highly in democratic measures before the coup but now is a different story. The country is run by the military and the civilian government has little power. The other part of the country is run by rebel separatist (Tuareg) with the ties to Al-Qaeda. I wonder how Mali is ranked now?
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