Mali: Why Mali Matters

16 January 2013
analysis

Having decided on a muscular emergency intervention to stop jihadist groups from sweeping south to Mali's capital Bamako, France's President Hollande's administration has opted for decisive force. It hopes to make a fundamental breakthrough and lay the basis for Malian and allied West African forces to restore the authority of the central government across the north.

Sixty French armoured vehicles have arrived in Bamako, and more troops have been announced. Altogether 2,500 French soldiers could soon be on the ground, backed up by air power. Other European countries are helping out, with British transport planes flying in more French equipment and soldiers, Denmark and Belgium are also assisting, and Germany is expected to play a significant role in retraining the Malian army.

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