Nine months after the coup that dissolved Mali’s democratic
government, resulting in an interim government based in northern Mali, discussions
have begun between two of the rebel groups and the national government. To give
a brief summary of the crisis, junior soldiers first seized the presidential
palace on Mach 22nd, 2012. At this time the government was dissolved
and the constitution suspended. Only two weeks later, a rebel group named the
National Movement for the Liberation of Azaward (MNLA) seceded from northern
Mali and formed a new state, Azawad. This claim was then withdrawn when
Islamist groups associated with Al-Qaeda influenced them. Currently, Mali is
being run by an interim government led by Dioncounda Traoré, former
President of the General Assembly.
In regards to the current talks, Mali’s government and two of the four main rebel groups are meeting to discuss the end of this crisis that has divided the country. The armed groups are MNLA and Ansar Dine. The discussions have taken place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and are being mediated by leaders of countries such as Algeria and Burkina Faso. Compaore, President of Burkina Faso has met with the two rebel group representatives independently and they plan on negotiating, but commitments have yet to be made. Thus far, all parties have agreed to respect the country’s “national unity” (Al Jazeera), territorial integrity, reject extremism and terrorism, and to “respect… human rights, human dignity and basic and religious freedoms” (Middle East Online). Top U.S. diplomats for Africa are encouraging the country to hold free and credible elections by April 2013 to end the crisis.
Also at this time, the African Union and Chad are once again asking the United Nations to authorize military intervention to retake the “Azaward” region of Mali. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) claims to have 3,000 troops prepared for deployment and are awaiting the UN’s approval. The President of the Ivory Coast, Outtara also approves this intervention. The international community is concerned that al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), another armed group, has unchecked power at this time and can utilize their new location to attack both Europe and northern Africa. In a recent speech to the Homeland Security Police Institute at George Washington University, General Carter Ham explained that this branch of al Qaeda is currently recruiting and supporting militant Islamic organizations in the North African region. He went on to say that this organization is “strengthening its hold in Northern Mali” (Huffington Post), and perhaps even becoming the best armed and financed of the al Qaeda “franchises”. The United Nations has responded to this request by stating “military operation may be required as a last resort to deal with the most hardline extremist and criminal elements in the north” (Middle East Online). African leaders speculate this approval may come as early as the end of the month.
The big question at this time is: Which solution will prevail in Mali? While peaceful talks between the interim government and two of the main rebel groups may be the more ‘democratic’ resolution, will it be effective? With news headlines such as “Mali neighbours urged to step up border patrols” (The Australian), “Why the world is preparing for war in Mali” (The Week), and “Mali: Al-Jazeera Journalists Detained in Mali for Two Days” (All Africa), I’m uncertain how productive these talks will be without a U.N.-sanctioned military intervention as a threatening back up. Particularly with al Qaeda appearing to utilize these northern regions as recruitment and training facilities, its unclear how willing these rebel groups will be to give up their newly acquired land.
Sources:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/12/201212420515159568.html
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=55919
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-hayden/the-long-war-reaches-mali_b_2247968.html
http://theweek.com/bullpen/column/237457/why-the-world-is-preparing-for-war-in-mali
http://allafrica.com/stories/201212061593.html
In regards to the current talks, Mali’s government and two of the four main rebel groups are meeting to discuss the end of this crisis that has divided the country. The armed groups are MNLA and Ansar Dine. The discussions have taken place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and are being mediated by leaders of countries such as Algeria and Burkina Faso. Compaore, President of Burkina Faso has met with the two rebel group representatives independently and they plan on negotiating, but commitments have yet to be made. Thus far, all parties have agreed to respect the country’s “national unity” (Al Jazeera), territorial integrity, reject extremism and terrorism, and to “respect… human rights, human dignity and basic and religious freedoms” (Middle East Online). Top U.S. diplomats for Africa are encouraging the country to hold free and credible elections by April 2013 to end the crisis.
Also at this time, the African Union and Chad are once again asking the United Nations to authorize military intervention to retake the “Azaward” region of Mali. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) claims to have 3,000 troops prepared for deployment and are awaiting the UN’s approval. The President of the Ivory Coast, Outtara also approves this intervention. The international community is concerned that al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), another armed group, has unchecked power at this time and can utilize their new location to attack both Europe and northern Africa. In a recent speech to the Homeland Security Police Institute at George Washington University, General Carter Ham explained that this branch of al Qaeda is currently recruiting and supporting militant Islamic organizations in the North African region. He went on to say that this organization is “strengthening its hold in Northern Mali” (Huffington Post), and perhaps even becoming the best armed and financed of the al Qaeda “franchises”. The United Nations has responded to this request by stating “military operation may be required as a last resort to deal with the most hardline extremist and criminal elements in the north” (Middle East Online). African leaders speculate this approval may come as early as the end of the month.
The big question at this time is: Which solution will prevail in Mali? While peaceful talks between the interim government and two of the main rebel groups may be the more ‘democratic’ resolution, will it be effective? With news headlines such as “Mali neighbours urged to step up border patrols” (The Australian), “Why the world is preparing for war in Mali” (The Week), and “Mali: Al-Jazeera Journalists Detained in Mali for Two Days” (All Africa), I’m uncertain how productive these talks will be without a U.N.-sanctioned military intervention as a threatening back up. Particularly with al Qaeda appearing to utilize these northern regions as recruitment and training facilities, its unclear how willing these rebel groups will be to give up their newly acquired land.
Sources:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/12/201212420515159568.html
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=55919
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-hayden/the-long-war-reaches-mali_b_2247968.html
http://theweek.com/bullpen/column/237457/why-the-world-is-preparing-for-war-in-mali
http://allafrica.com/stories/201212061593.html
The media will always distort the rebel groups, labeling them in negative ways. The Tuareg people who are leading the revolution took a portion of Mali, and even drafted a declaration of independence. They are people who were affected by the sovereignty observed by the UN. The UN will not approve their independence, and they will look at their liberation effort as an internal problem for the Mali government. Rebels are rebels. This is the same thing as Native Americans fighting back for their soil conquered and stolen by Europeans. Our government would not allow that. Some argue we are too "far in," but the true notion is the Europeans have won. In the Tuareg people's declaration, they have chosen to rename their land to their choosing, as well as drawn up a flag. Although not much has changed since last year I have studied this, it would real interesting to see the UN recognize the Tuareg nation as an independent state. It would be a triumph for the oppressed indigenous nations within the sovereign states.
ReplyDeleteMali is a good example of the importance of state-building for international security. Because of the lack of government control is some territories, it can lead to international security threats and the rise of terrorist groups. It makes the US foreign policy of stability sometimes at the expense of democracy or human rights more understandable in some ways. Although it sounds like the government needs international support to gain control of terrorist-held areas, the original reasons for the rebellion should not be overlooked. Though the situation is complex, the Mali government needs to seriously review how they respond to the voices of their people as it might have prevented the original rebellion in the first place.
ReplyDeleteEmmanuel, I highly doubt that the UN will recognize or approve their independence. I definitely agree with Katie that the original reasons for the rebellion should not be over looked but independence is highly unlikely and i would argue shouldn't happen. If the international community (UN) approved the independence (1) it would undermine the Mali government and their sovereignty (2) could start a trend for rebels to seek and except independence (3) it could also create another safe haven for terrorist.
ReplyDelete