enough to hold their own. One thing is for sure, Mali needs help from either France or the UN... maybe even both.
Reasources:
(1) Akukwe, C. (2013, January 16). Africa's Challenges for 2013. Retrieved from http://thinkafricapress.com/development/africa-2013-development-challenges
(2) Fessy, T. (2013, April 8). Timbuktu fears French troops withdrawal from Mali. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-22061222
(3) Gueye, A. (2013, March 4). Global Voices English The world is talking, are you listening? Retrieved from http://globalvoicesonline.org/2013/03/04/the-conflict-in-mali-who-is-fighting-whom-and-why/
(4) Was France right to intervene in Mali? (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.debate.org/opinions/was-france-right-to-intervene-in-mali
Mali is not ready to fully take back all of their country: “‘We don't think that these forces can do what the French have done so far,’ says Hamadoune Diadie Maiga, the acting head of the Timbuktu crisis committee. ‘So when the militants understand that nobody is standing guard or that those who are here enter the city again and it will be a catastrophe for the people of Timbuktu.’” By the end of this year, there will only be 1,000 french troops left in all of Mali. Northern Mali will be taken over again by the islamic extremists and it will be as if nothing has changed. (Fessy, 2013)
There are solutions though. France could stay and help. They have already involved themselves in this conflict so they are obligated to continue although they probably won’t agree.
Since France is already retreating from Mali, better option would be to reinstate UN troops into Northern Mali. They could help ensure that Mali’s government is rebuilt and their army is strong
Malian Flag
French Flag
F l e e i n g F r e n c h By Randall Thornton