U.S. Acknowledges Need for Military Action in Mali
- Author:
- Mantsadi Sepheka
- Publisher:
- AllAfrica
- Publication Date:
- 1 October 2012
- Tags:
- Mali, Arms and Military Affairs, Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution, International Terrorism
The top United States diplomat for Africa has acknowledged that military action will be needed to break the control of northern Mali by Islamic extremists and re-unite the country, but says this needs to follow the restoration of democracy.
Johnnie Carson, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, told journalists in a telephonic briefing on Monday: “It is absolutely, critically important for there to be democratic progress in Mali, that there be a restoration of the civilian, democratic, constitutional government, and that needs to be done as soon as possible. ”
He added: "There will have to be at some point military action to push AQIM (Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb) and MUJWA (a related group) out of the north and out of the control that they are exercising over towns like Timbuktu, and Kidal and Gao."
Mantsadi Sepheka reports from Cape Town.
(This report has been amended since first published to reflect Carson's statement that Mali troops need to lead military action in the north of the country.)
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