Northern Mali: International Intervention or Inaction?
2012 has been an extremely tumultuous year for the West African
country. As the situation worsens in Northern Mali, the international community
ponders on what steps to take to ensure political and overall stability in the
region. After the coup d’état staged by the National Movement for the
Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and an Islamist group named Ansar Dine, President
Amadou Toumani Toure was forced to step down in March and since then, Northern
Mali has remained in a state of chaos.
Ansar Dine and other Islamist groups now rule over the majority of
Northern Mali. They call for the implementation of Sharia Law and they impose
strict rules on the people; for example, forcing women and girls to wear headscarves,
conducting cruel punishments for premarital sex and smoking. The control that
Ansar Dine has over the region is only becoming strong as more frustrated youth
join the movement. International organizations, such as the U.N., the Economic
Community of West African States, and neighboring countries (Cote d’Ivoire,
Algeria, and Burkina Faso) have expressed interests in intervention. The rise
of radical Islamism in Mali poses a major threat to Europe, considering its
close proximity.
I chose to cover this issue because of last week’s theme of
international intervention. Since the Islamists have an increasing amount of
power in creating turmoil in Mali, should there be an intervention? This
conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis and aid is much needed, but the
question is would a military intervention need to happen also? France has
proposed a UN Resolution that calls for a military intervention within 45 days,
which the UN adopted. The Islamists responded with a threat to “open the doors
of hell” for France.
I think in situations like this, any international action will be met
with many difficulties. If France or other West African countries intervene,
this will most likely lead to a brutal war with the Islamists. If they choose
not to intervene, the Malian people will continue to suffer from the harsh rules
imposed on them. Any decision is problematic, but it is probably safer for the
problem to be dealt with militarily on a localized level, where opposing groups
fight the Islamists. However, this does not answer the humanitarian issues that
face the people. In this case, I would suggest international organizations to
provide relief and aid assistance to the Malians.
Sources:
Muna-
ReplyDeleteInteresting decision between intervention and inaction, though I wonder how exactly international organizations can provide relief and aid assistance in this situation..What form would this take?