http://www.channel4.com/news/mali-why-western-intervention-is-destined-to-fail
This is an attempt by Anna Alissa Hitzemann and Ben Zala for the Oxford Research Group to simplify the Mali crisis into a long running grievance by the ‘marginalized Nomadic peoples of the North’. They write:
‘The French-led intervention in Mali is only one of many in a growing list of attempts to control outbreaks of political violence and terrorism with military means...
Common to all of these examples is the reluctance to match military operations against rebel groups and insurgents with serious, long-term efforts to address the factors that underlie the feelings of resentment and marginalisation that drive such conflicts....
it is worthwhile examining the political, socio-economic and cultural divisions which have sparked the uprising in the north of Mali....
The formation of the Tuareg-led MNLA movement...led significant armed struggle and resistant movements against colonisation by the French and later the central Malian government....
Long-term sustainable security and stability for Mali will not be possible without seriously addressing the long-standing and deep-seated grievances that stem from the marginalisation of the northern territories and their peoples.
If the problem was only the MNLA’s claim for independence, this conflict could most probably have been solved by negotiation and by the creation of a semi-autonomous Azawad Nation. But the problem is no longer the MNLA’s fight for an independent state; it is the fact that they went into unholy alliances with Jihadists to reach their goal. These Jihadist groups are mostly alien to Mali’s soil, and they used the MNLA as a Trojan Horse to gain control of northern Mali. Once they gained control, they ousted the MNLA who are no longer players in this game since they no longer hold any significant territory.
Therefore to speak of ‘ resentment and marginalisation that drive such conflicts’ is no longer relevant. The French went in to help ousting the terrorist groups, not the MNLA Touareg freedom fighters.
5 Comments:
"But the problem is no longer the MNLA’s fight for an independent state; it is the fact that they went into unholy alliances with Jihadists to reach their goal. These Jihadist groups are mostly alien to Mali’s soil, and they used the MNLA as a Trojan Horse to gain control of northern Mali."
You consistently offer thoughtful correctives to journalist reports, like this. It is good that there is now coverage. I well remember when you were the only voice. But it's then all the more important to have an accurate understanding of events on the ground. Thanks for providing it.
Thank you Susan, as always! Very soon, inshallah, I will be back in Mali, to write what I see myself rather than only commenting on articles...
And the MNLA has vowed to fight with the Malian army and the French. Once this is sorted out - who knows how long it will take? - then talks need to begin about secular control of the north.
Yes, indeed, but frankly I don't trust the MNLA at all. They may fight with the Malian army, but they are just as likely to betray them if it suits them as they have done repeatedly in the past.
Yes, indeed, but frankly I don't trust the MNLA at all. They may fight with the Malian army, but they are just as likely to betray them if it suits them as they have done repeatedly in the past.
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