Betrayal?
France has announced that she is sending in reinforcements to Kidal: another 30 soldiers, in order to help "keep the peace". But Malians no longer trust the French and conspiracy theories are gaining ground: some think that the French are in possession of secret knowledge regarding large mineral deposits in the North of Mali in which they will have a stake when the state of AZAWAD is finally declared.
Be that as it may, the fact is that anti-French and anti-UN sentiment is running high in Mali. Keita tells me UN vehicles have been attacked in Bamako. The response on Malijet to the news of the arrival of the additional French forces was almost 100% negative. Noone believes that France is there to help the Malian nation any longer. There were plenty of French soldiers in Kidal at the time of the attacks, the kidnappings and the massacre. They did nothing to stop the carnage. Malians feel totally betrayed.
posted by toubab at 5:38 PM
3 Comments:
The betrayal is devastating. It must be difficult for Malians to keep a sense of proportion, but I don't know if it helps to remember that had not the French troops arrived at the very last minute, the whole of Mali might now be in rebel hands. War is such a messy and degrading business (truism of the year).
Yes, David, that is certainly true! And believe me, when the French intervened they were hailed as heroes and tricolors were flying all over Mali once more. But their continued protection of the MNLA is incomprehensible to the Malians.
One theory how this MAY be partly explained however in that the MNLA is providing the French with invaluable intelligence in the wider operations to wipe out terrorism in the north.
The French are protecting their interests whatever they may be. An intricate matter for sure and in diplomacy self-interest is always the main point of any action. No one ever acts to help out anyone else.
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