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French invasion of mali questioned
By Jeremy McLane
The buzz of Mirage 2000s and Mirage F1CRs fly overhead. Explosions sound in the distance as the French Air Force bombadres Tuareg Rebel Camps. In a mere 24 hours since French President Francois Hollande ordered the attacks, the people of Mali know help is on the way.
For over seven years, Malian’s have been faced with terrorist threats from the Tuareg Rebels and Al-Qaeda militant attacks. The Tuareg Rebels are a rebel group responsible for the Tuareg Rebellion, a war waged against the Malian government in an effort to gain independence for the northern region of Mali, otherwise known as Azawad.
When the French first freed Timbuktu from the “darkest days of the city,” residents were celebrating their freedom from the strict Islamic law that had been forced upon them by the militants for nearly a year. But now, without the French presence within cities, citizens fear the rebels will attack the defenceless northern cities of Mali, and easily regain control over them. The citizens do not have trust within the Malian troops, and as a result, fear that the militants will attack again. A unnamed shopkeeper says if the French withdraw from Mali, “everyone will go running, even I will leave.” (Fessy, T- April 8, 2013)
Unfortunately, for the Malian people, the battle against Al-Qaeda militants takes place in the desert. The French say their mission is near complete, but are still considering an option to keep up to 1000 French troops within Mali. Experts, such as Investigative Journalist Michel Collon, contradict the French statement, saying that “The real goal of the French presence is not to combat the Islamists, but the resources.” (RT News- April 10, 2013) Mali is rich in oil and uranium, which are long term intrests of the French. Even a former intelligence officer for the French has doubts about the length and worthiness of the mission in Mali. Claude Moniquet says, “The French army has expelled insurgents from the cities and so what? Would they retreat? They will come back, exactly as they did in Afghanistan when the Soviets withdrew in 1989, and exactly what they will do in Afghanistan when the last American soldier will retreat.” (RT News- April 10, 2013) Once the French have completed their mission, they will likely withdraw most if not all of their troops. By the end of 2013, there should be under 1000 troops remaining.
"Everyone will go running, even I will leave." -Unnamed shopkeeper in Timebuktu on the topic of the French withdrawing it's troops.
Since 1898, Mali and the French have had very close ties, with Mali providing resources and the French providing protection. Because of the inabilities of the Malian military, the citizens of Timbuktu and other cities within Mali desperately depend on the French to protect them from Islamic Rebels. Unfortunately for the people of Mali, the prospect of a large withdrawal of French troops leaves fate of the people and the country uncertain.
Sources:
Fessy, T. (2013, April 08). Timbuktu fears French troops withdrawal from Mali. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22061222
RT News. (2013, April 8). Mali Crisis: French Withdraw Troops Amid Fears Of Prolonged War. Retrieved from http://rt.com/news/mali-french-troops-conflict-605/
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