France is Gradually Pulling Troops out of Mali but in a Secured Way
Pierre Leblanc and Joachim de Villiers
Modern Tokyo Times
President Hollande of France is gradually implementing the second stage of supporting the nation of Mali. This applies to reducing the armed forces of France in the knowledge that Islamists have been forced back to the margins. At the same time, France played a major part in obtaining enormous funds for Mali and helped to push the United Nations (UN) to provide a very adequate peacekeeping force. Also, it is clear that a contingency of French troops will remain until the job is completed.
Therefore, Malians witnessed many military vehicles pulling out of a base near the capital of this nation. Apparently they left the base on the outskirts of Bamako and headed for the Ivory Coast. This follows on from some French troops leaving in April and it is believed that by September the forces will be dwindled down to 2,000 soldiers from the height of 4,000.
The role of France throughout the region remains clear because French Special Forces helped Niger to quell a hostage crisis. Events in Niger will be watched closely and the same applies to other regional nations. After all, Islamists are known for hit and run tactics after they flee a major military offensive.
It must be remembered that while you have genuine issues related to certain ethnic groups, notably the Tuareg; the Islamist terrorist threat was all too real. Islamist forces, just like in Somalia, began to attack traditional indigenous Islam by destroying Sufi shrines and notable black African Islamic architecture in Timbuktu. This destruction took place alongside brutal Islamic Sharia law punishments by individuals not fit to apply any code of law given their brutality.
France took a very responsible position towards the crisis in Mali despite being hypocritical when it comes to Syria. However, in Mali this nation responded quickly because Islamists had threatened to move further south in order to control the country. If France had not intervened alongside other nations which participated in the early period, notably Chad before pulling forces out; then one can only imagine the bloodletting and carnage which would have befallen Mali.
During a powerful donors conference to obtain economic support for the nation of Mali the BBC mentioned past issues related to international support that went pear-shaped. Modern Tokyo Times counted this by stating that“In the BBC article they are relating Mali to similar donor support which happened in Afghanistan and Somalia. However, this is not valid in many ways, after all the vast majority of people in Mali share similar values of pluralism and religious tolerance. Also, unlike in Afghanistan and Somalia the French led forces were welcomed with open arms by the overwhelming majority of Mali people. This reality means that providing the Islamists can be crushed then economic support can genuinely make a difference providing “the heart of the government is sincere.”
The BBC also comments about the support given by France to the people of Mali. This applies to stating that“Within weeks of launching their offensive, French and Malian soldiers, backed by fighter jets and helicopters, forced the rebels out of urban areas. However, some fighters retreated to hideouts in the mountains and desert, from where they have launched isolated attacks.”
“The BBC’s Alex Duval Smith in Bamako says the French intervention has been immensely popular, and most Malians have dreaded the beginning of the withdrawal.”
Islamists will continue to pose a threat to parts of Mali and it is always dangerous to predict the long-term reality of any conflict. However, it is clear that France and the people of Mali must be pleased by the impact of international forces in quelling the Islamist threat in the short-term. Despite this, recent events in Niger and the current failed state of Libya means that many serious issues remain throughout the region. Therefore, it is clear that France will continue to play a powerful role within Mali and regionally for the foreseeable future.
Lee Jay Walker gave guidance to both main writers
