Leaders of several African countries are calling on the West to intervene in Libya in order to stop instability from spreading across the Sahel and threatening fragile governments in the region.

Some African leaders called on NATO to help stop the flow of weapons to armed groups in the region. The call ignores the fact that the armed groups receiving weapons include CIA-linked General Khalifa Haftar's militia which are now integrated with the Libyan National Army(LNA). This is no longer a fight between two umbrella groups of militia but of the Tobruk internationally recognized government and a host of anti-government militias including some radical Islamist militia. Ibrahim Keita, president of Mali, said that unless the problem was resolved in southern Libya there would be no peace in the region.

 It is fair to say that the problem in southern Libya has never been resolved since the overthrow of Gadaffi. There is no reason to expect it will be solved soon. Establishing an anti-Islamist government with General Haftar as head of the armed forces is likely to make the situation worse, even if he is able to subdue some of the tribes in the south. As at the overthrow of Gadaffi, militants will simply migrate from Libya to surrounding countries making the situation even worse for neighbors. Mali's difficulties in the north will remain until the government provides the area with a degree of autonomy.

 Chadian President Idriss Deby told the security forum being held in Dakar, Senegal: "The solution to the crisis that is shaking this country is not in African hands, but in the hands of the West, notably NATO.Now Libya is fertile ground for terrorism and all sorts of criminals" I expect that this fondness for NATO intervention shows that Chad's present government needs support from NATO because it is still kept in power by western interests. Deby said that the West had an obligation to finish what it started. However what it started was the overthrow of the Gadaffi regime for various reasons, including a chance to obtain better contracts for oil and install a regime even more amenable to control by western capital. It was Gadaffi who claimed that he was fighting terrorists. Now that some of those same radical Islamists threaten the western-supported Tobruk government, and its anti-Islamist leader of the armed forces Haftar, all of a sudden there is a terrorist threat to the region.

 The radical Islamists were some of the fiercest opponents and fighters against Gadaffi since he had long imprisoned, tortured, and oppressed many of them. One radical Islamist jihadist leader was Abdelhakim Belhadj: Belhadj was arrested with his pregnant wife in 2004 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia.[8] Transferred on the same plane to Bangkok, he was then placed in the custody of the CIA, where he was retained at a secret prison at the airport.[4][8] Returned to Libya on the rendition aircraft N313P,[11] he was held at the Abu Salim prison for seven years. While Libya, Syria, and Egypt were all roundly criticized by the west for their human rights records, they were at the same time chosen by the CIA as destinations for the rendition of terror suspects, as proper places for interrogation and torture. Having done their job of overthrowing Gadaffi, these Islamists were supposed to disappear back into the woodwork just as were the jihadists who drove the troops of the USSR Evil Empire out of Afghanistan.

 President Macky Sall of Senegal said that the West needed to provide more support for the armed forces in the region who were poorly equipped. The French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that problems in southern Libya depended upon a solution to Libyan's political crisis. France already has 3,200 troops in the Sahel region. Back on Sept. 9th, France had called for western intervention in Libya to counter the terrorist threat. Later on the 18th, a number of countries met and rejected foreign intervention: Libya's struggling elected government and representatives of 15 neighbouring nations have unanimously rejected the idea of military intervention as a way to restore stability in the oil-rich North African nation, which some say is on the brink of civil war. Now the pendulum is moving back towards intervention.

No doubt western countries are anxious that Libyan neighbors, or at least some of them, initiate this request as it will give any intervention a patina of legitimacy. There is already evidence of intervention by Egypt and the UAE among others on the side of General Haftar. The reaction of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) continues to be optimistic. The UNSMIL issued a statement saying in part: “The move by the parties to identify their respective delegations to the talks is a step in the right direction. In agreeing to take part in this dialogue, all the parties have clearly signaled their determination to spare no effort towards safeguarding Libya’s political transition and forging ahead with building a modern democratic state based on the rule of law and respect for human rights.” The statement claims that this move shows that all parties are committed to finding a peaceful political solution to the present military and political crisis in Libya. The Mission will continue consulting with the parties in order to finalize details such as the place and time of the next meeting.

Earlier talks in Ghadames in September achieved nothing. There is no reason to believe that these will be any more successful. The Tripoli government insists that its legitimacy must be recognized as a condition of dialogue. Prime minister Al-Thinni of the Tobruk government goes even further and demands that it be recognized as the sole legitimate government and that the Tripoli government in effect surrender:Thinni laid down new conditions for talks with the rival government, asking the Tripoli administration to recognize the elected parliament first, the website said. Armed groups such as Dawn also had to withdraw from the capital. The statement did recognize the obvious fact that there are ongoing battles between the government forces led by Khalifa Haftar and anti-government militias including battles for oil ports in the east. The statement said that the Mission was deeply alarmed by the escalation in fighting which it claims undermines the efforts to convene the dialogue. The dialogue has already been postponed from last week. The statement said:“All parties should desist from any action that obstructs the dialogue efforts and endangers the country’s economic lifeline. Libyan oil is a strategic asset that belongs to all the Libyan people, who deserve an opportunity for stability and prosperity.”

 Of course the statement fails to mention that these facilities are now guarded by the same militia and former rebels who had seized the ports and kept them out of production earlier for almost a year. They are now allied with the Tobruk government so everything is fine. The statement also says that "those threatening Libya's peace, stability, or security, could be subject to sanctions". This does not mean that the Tobruk government or General Haftar will be subject to sanctions. If anyone is sanctioned it could be those leading some of the anti-government militia or representatives of the Tripoli government. The UNSMIL statement made no mention of the Libyan Supreme Court decision that the June elections were unconstitutional and the Tobruk government should be dissolved. No doubt they are still studying the decision since it was made on November 6. The international community and the press, for the most part, also conveniently ignore the ruling, although even Voice of America reported briefly on the event when it happened.

Mali asks UN for rapid response force to deal with jihadist attacks in the north

Mali has requested that the UN send more troops, specifically a rapid intervention force, to fight Islamist militants after recent attacks on UN peacekeepers in the north of the country.

The Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop told the UN Security Council that the rapid intervention force was needed following the killing of a Senegalese soldier only days after nine peacekeepers had been killed. Diop warned that northern Mali again ran "the risk of becoming the destination of hordes of terrorists." Both French and African troops occupied northern Mali in January 2013 after radical jihadists who captured most of the north threatened to move south towards the capital Bamako.While the rebels were driven out of the main towns in the north, they continue attacks against the UN force that is designed to stabilize the situation.
The 9,000-member UN force, MINUSMA, took over peacekeeping back in July of last year. Since the mission was established 31 peacekeepers have been killed and 91 wounded according to the chief of the mission Herve Ladsous. The attacks were by rockets, mortar shells, suicide attacks, and ambushes. He said that the mission was to receive combat helicopters and drones in the coming months.
 The Tuareg who were originally driven out of the north by jihadists were able to gain control of the town of Kidal and after presidential polls were held have been holding peace talks in Algeria that are attempting to settle how the north should be governed.
In some areas such as the exotic town of Timbuktu, at least journalists and UN workers are returning and help out the local economy. In February of 2013 the Hotel La Colombe (Dove Hotel) re-opened. During occupation by the jihadists the hotel had been closed. Hotel manager Mohamed Toure could not believe that a group of Westerners wanted to stay in the hotel where nothing was working. While it took a while to improve conditions the journalists were able to enjoy a treat, foreign beer, that had been buried when the Islamists banned alcohol and was now dug up. Toure said that since the journalists had arrived he was able to provide his family three meals a day instead of one.
An officer from Niger with the MINUSMA mission claimed that the al-Qaeda-linked militia Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa(MUJAO) mounted the attack. The attackers were on motorbikes and ambushed the peacekeepers from Niger. A statement from MINUSMA said it was the worst attack yet against the Mali mission.

Tuareg rebels in Mali support French intervention

The Tuareg rebels who want an independent state of Azawad in northern Mali are ready to support French military intervention to help combat Islamic rebels in the north.

Contrary to my report in an earlier article, the rebels in northern Mali are not all united against the French military intervention. Moussa Ag Assarid, a representative of the Azawad National Liberation Movement, said:

"We're ready to help, we are already involved in the fight against terrorism. We can do the job on the ground. We've got men, arms and, above all, the desire to rid Azawad of terrorism."

After a coup in March of 2012, the Tuareg were able to capture much of the north. On April 6 2012, the MNLA declared the independence of Azawad from Mali. A declaration of Independence was signed but no foreign government recognized the state. Over the next month or so, the MNLA lost territory to Islamists. One group that contested territory with the MNLA was Ansar Dine led by former Tuareg fighter Ilya Ag Ghaly. Although the MNLA and Ansar Dine declared on May 26 that they would merge to form an Islamist state, conflict continued. Towards the end of June 2012, Ansar Dine claimed control of all the cities in northern Mali. The MNLA, very much weakened, tried to negotiate a form of self-rule with the central government. . The Tuareg now expect the Malian government to allow the French to help them defeat the Islamists and as a reward give them autonomy in the north. They also demand that the Malian army stay out of the territory until an agreement is reached. An MNLA official said:

"We don't want to see the Malian army in Azawad without a prior accord between the two parties. We are ready for talks aimed at finding a solution."

It is not clear that the MNLA has much sway now on the ground. The group is accused of raping and pillage in its earlier takeover of the north. The MNLA made the mistake of selling weapons to the Islamists. Some of the Tuareg had fought for Gadaffi and when he was overthrown moved into Mali bringing weapons with them.

UN requests plan for military intervention in Mali

The U.N. Security Council has approved a motion that provides regional groups 45 days to draw up specific plans for military intervention designed to oust rebels in northern Mali

The northern region of Mali, sometimes called Azawad, is now occupied and governed by militant Islamists who are linked by many to Al Qaeda. The region was lost by the central government after a coup by U.S. trained Captain Sanogo in March of this year. Ironically, the coup was defended on the grounds that the central government had not ousted rebels in the area. The resolution was unanimous, no doubt because of the association of the rebels with Al Qaeda.

The leader of the coup stepped down in May and transferred power to a civilian government but the coup leaders still have considerable influence in the new government. Originally, much of the north was captured by Tuareg rebels who proclaimed an independent Azawad. However, no country recognized Azawad and shortly thereafter, the Tuareg were ousted in turn by radical Islamists.

The Security Council also urged the transitional government and the rebel groups to find a peaceful solution, even while African nations are being asked to prepare detailed recommendations for deployment of an international force within Mali. Mali had agreed to stationing of troops earlier, as reported in Digital Journal. The recommendations are to include the number of forces needed and the estimated cost.

The radical Islamists in northern Mali are imposing a strict version of Sharia law in areas they control. There are many reports of human rights violations. Some historic religious artifacts have been destroyed in Timbuktu. Women found to be pregnant and unmarried are subject to severe punishments.

There are reports that children are also being bought to serve as soldiers with the families being paid as much as $600. More than half the population in Mali live on just over a dollar a day. The Islamists also ban drinking, smoking, watching sports on television, and listening to music.

The UN has been calling for detailed intervention plans for six months already. Even after the details are submitted, a second resolution will be needed to authorize the deployment. The rebels will have plenty of time to consolidate their positions and prepare their defenses.

Mali militants take over more territory but unable to provide services

The entire northern part of Mali has been taken over by Islamic militants but the group is having problems trying to offer government services as state employees fled the region.

The Islamic group Ansar Dine has taken over northern Mali. Both they and Tuareg rebels were able to drive out Malian forces after a coup last March. However now the Islamic radicals have taken control. The group has had no experience in providing basic services such as electricity, water, and schools.

A group from the south called the Coalition for Mali recently visited the area. In some cases the militants asked that former state functionaries return to help the group provide basic services for the population. The Ansar Dine appear to have subdued the population and subjected them to harsh Sharia law. Some have also destroyed ancient historic religious and cultural artifacts. However, the group just does not have the expertise to provide state services. They are aware of this weakness and no doubt also aware that if they do not provide services that help the people they are ruling that they will face constant opposition. Daouda Maiga used to run a state development program in the Kidal region. When the Islamists invaded most people simply left. Maiga said;

“They asked for the state to resume its functions, because it's too complicated for them to manage..They are not used to running things.

Almost 400,000 people fled the north draining the area of people with the skills to help govern in a way that provides people with basic services.

The Ansar Dine has now occupied the north for five months and there has yet been no move from the south to dislodge them as there is still political struggle after the coup to establish some type of legitimate government. West African regional intervention has yet to happen. Any type of armed intervention is likely to worsen the situation. Perhaps the best solution would be to actually provide the sorts of skills that would help the people and are needed by the Islamists. However, that is unlikely in my opinion. The Ansar Dine are said to have links to Al Qaeda and are not acceptable to the U.S. or any of the western supported and western-trained military groups in the area. The next strongest group in the area are Tuareg who are not acceptable either since some served in the Libyan armed forces under Qaddafi.

Recently the Ansar Dine has moved further south to seize control of the town of Douentza which had been ruled by a local militia. While the area is still far from the capital Bomaka it is close to the area controlled by the government in Mali. Ironically the original army coup against the democratically elected president of Mali was justified by the lack of government action to dislodge northern rebels. The result of the coup has been complete loss of control in the region.

African Union wants new government formed in Mali

 The  Peace and Security Council of  the African Union is critical of the transitional government set up in Mali after the coup leader Captain Sanogo handed over power to a transitional civilian government. Sanogo and his comrades retained considerable influence and Sanogo was given the title of former head of state together with a salary.
    The Peace and Security Council(PSC) called on the ex-junta members to stop interfering in the government. In fact the group went further and called for the "effective dissolution" of the former junta group and an end to its "unacceptable interference" in the government's transition process.
      The situation is dire in northern Mali as the entire territory is now occupied by the Ansar Dine group who are radical Islamists.  The original coup in March that overthrew a democratically elected president was justified by that government's inability to put down rebels in the north. After the coup the north was occupied first by the Tuareg who now have been driven out by radical Islamists said to be associated with Al Qaeda.. The Islamists have vandalized historical sites in Timbuktu. Until there is a more stable government in the south there is not likely to be any drive to recover the north of the country. For more see this article..

ECOWAS strips status from Mali Coup Leader Capt. Sanogo

The Economic Community of West African States has stripped Capt. Sanogo who led the recent coup in March of this year of  his status of  former head of state. Sanogo has handed power to an interim government but continues to have influence within it.
  As part of the deal to give up power U.S. trained Sanogo was named former head of state and provided a salary of close to 9,000 dollars a month. ECOWAS refused to recognize the coup and hence is being consistent in not recognizing Sanogo as former head of  State. It is unclear if the move by ECOWAS will have much effect. After all it is the Malian government that gave Sanogo the title and salary.
   ECOWAS is becoming impatient with the transitional government.  At a conference in Burkina Faso Saturday the group demanded that a unity government be formed by July 31 or the group would withdraw recognition from the government. ECOWAS has been asking for a UN mandate to send forces to retake territory in Northern Mali. For more see  this article  and also here.

U.S. Special Forces in Mali

An article in the Washington Post by Craig Whitlock  reveals some details about U.S. Special Forces operations in Mali. He has a fascinating story about the crash of a jeep back on April 20 in the capital Bamako. The jeep went through a guard rail on a bridge and crashed into a river killing three U.S. Army commandos and three women. The women were apparently known as prostitutes. The crash took place early in the morning just before dawn.
   This crash happened a month after the U.S. had supposedly suspended military operations in Mali after a coup by Captain Sanogo. The coup leader was himself  U.S. trained. Military officials have yet to fully explain what the commandos were doing.
   What is clear is that Special Forces are engaged in counter terrorism operations. Obama has spoken of his desire to rely on Special Operations forces rather than regular troops. Their ranks have been increasing. The group still remaining in Mali were said to be there to provide assistance to the U.S. embassy in Mali and were winding down civil affairs but hoped to resume activity soon. Two of those killed were communications specialists.
    For about six years the U.S. has been increasing military and training programs in Mali. Rather than crushing Islamic radicalism the result has been increased activity and now the Islamists (Ansar Dine) have wrested control of the whole of  northern Mali from control of the Tuareg and the central government.
   Earlier the U.S. had carried out an extensive classified program called Creek Sand. There was even a plan to embed U.S. special forces commandos with Malian troops but this was rejected by the U.S. ambassador. No doubt the U.S. will again become involved once the post coup government is more stable. Of course the U.S. trained coup leader was never punished for overthrowing a democratically elected president. Instead Captain Sanogo was able to gain influence in the new government. For more see this article.

Mali: Islamic rebels driving out Tuareg in north

An alliance between Tuaraeg rebels who set up the state of Azawad in northern Mali and Ansar Dine an Islamic rebel group has broken down with the Ansar Dine taking over Timbuktu and apparently some other towns in the north.

Ansar Dine is said to be linked to Al Qaeda. In the town of Gao there was also a fight between Tuareg and Ansar Dine with 20 being killed and Ansar Dine taking over the town. These developments will make it virtually certain that there will be military intervention and further bloodshed in the north as Malian troops bolstered by other African troops from ECOWAS will try to retake the territory.

No officials from Ansar Dine or the Tuareg could be reached to confirm these actions. UNESCO is worried about World Hertiage sites in Timbuktu since the Ansar Dine may very well vandaliz them . From the video at this site it would seem this has already happened to some extent. The Ansar Dine impose Sharia law wherever they go.

Key cities in northern Mali were seized by the Tuareg earlier in March but then Islamist fighters appeared from the mountains. The Tuareg was a secular state while the Islamist want an Islamist state with Islamic law. Some Tuareg came from Libya where they had fought for Gadaffi and were well armed. It is not clear where the Islamists manage to get all their firepower and who finances them. For more see this article.

African states seek UN resolution authorizing military intervention in Mali

The northern part of Mali has been taken over by Tuareg rebels and Islamists. The Tuareg have declared the area the independent state of Azawad. However no country has recognized the state as yet.

ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) has requested a UN resolution that would legitimize military action against the northern rebels. A Security Council diplomat said:"It's going to take some time before the Security Council is in a position to approve outside intervention in Mali," "It's not that we're opposed, it's just that there are many questions about how it would be done that need to be answered first." The African Union has also requested a resolution that would sanction intervention.

The original coup that overthrew the democratic president of Mali was motivated partly by the fact that the Mali government had not put down the rebellion in the north. However the coup itself led by a U.S. trained captain created conditions which allowed the rebels to consolidate their hold on the entire northern part of the country. Now it appears that the transitional government is intent on getting outside help to drive out the rebels and retake the territory.. There seems to be no talk of negotiations. Expect a long and bloody war supported by the U.S. France and other western powers. For more see this article.

Tuareg rebels announce ruling council while differences still exist with Islamic radical alllies

During and after the recent military coup in Mali Tuareg rebels in the north drove out the central government forces joined by Islam rebels from mountain areas who are called Anser Dine. The Tuareg rebels are called the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad.

Azawad is an area that covers parts of several countries but the Tuareg have declared an independent state in the Mali portion. They have now named a council which will be responsible for defense, security and education. They will also deal with foreign policy and land management. No country has recognized the area as independent. The Mali coup leaders overthrew the elected president on the ground that he had not worked hard enough to drive out the rebels. It is most likely that once politics is sorted out in the south that the army will again move north.

Since Anser Dine are radical Islamists who are claimed to have links to Al Qaeda the U.S which already has a few special forces in Mali will be anxious to help retake the north.

The Tuareg rebels in the NMLA want a secular state. Some come from Libya where they fought for Gadaffi. Of course Gadaffi suppressed Islamic militants. Although the two groups announced a merger the NMLA says the agreement is now under review. Anser Dine was the north to be an Islamic state under Sharia law. In spite of their radical differences the two groups will no doubt try their best to form a common front to resist any government attempts to retake territory. For much more see this article and even more depth here.

Mali transitional government rejects independence of Azawad in the north

An alliance of rebels in the north of Mali have declared independence as the state of Azawad. The transitional government of Mali has rejected the move and the state has not been recognized so far internationally either.

The minister of information said:"The government of Mali categorically rejects the idea of the creation of an Azawad state, even more so of an Islamic state," Earlier Islamic groups and Tuareg rebels had been at odds in the northern territory but after extended talks they have agreed to merge or at least cooperate in forming an independent state in the north. The groups have taken control of most if not all of the territory.

The two groups are National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad and the Islamic Ansar Dine (Defenders of Faith). Alghabass Intalla a leader of Ansar Dine said:"I have just signed an accord that will see an independent and Islamic state where we have Islamic law

This move will ensure help from the U.S. who already have a few special forces in Mali. The Mali military has been trained by the U.S. including the leader of the recent coup against the elected president., Captain Sanogo Some claim the Ansar Dine group is linked with Al Qaeda particularly Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)

While the coup's rationale was that the Mali government was not pursuing rebels in the north with sufficient vigor, after the coup the country is still trying to maintain some stability in the south. The coup leader transferred power to a transitional government. In the meanwhile rebels took control of the entire northern part of Mali. In time with the help of the U.S. one can expect war and violence in the north again aided by the U.S. in the name of the war on terrorism. For more see this article.

Mali: Protesters attack and injure interim president.

Dioncounda Traore the interim president of Mali was scheduled to step down on Monday but an agreement between West African leaders and the recent coup leader Capt. Amadou Sanogo was reached for Traore to stay on for a year and organize elections.

Coup supporters were angered by the deal Protests have been held with the army saying it has shot three people dead. The deal also gave Sanogo perks as leader of a successful coup. He is now recognized as former head of state and given a salary and mansion! Do you hear any howls from the U.S. who trained him?

A journalist in Mali reported that soldiers let some demonstrators into Traore's office. Traore suffered a head wound and was taken to hospital for treatment but later released.

Capt Sanogo led a successful coup on March 22 turfing out the elected president. In reaction the regional bloc ECOWAS suspended Mali from membership. However a deal was reached for Sanogo to turn over power to an interim government under Traore former speaker of the house. The new deal was an extension of Traore's term. The north of the country has been taken over by Tuareg rebels who have declared independence. There are a few U.S. special forces in Mali.

The coup leader complained about lack of action by the government to put down northern rebels who are said to have ties to Islamic militants. ECOWAS has said it will send 3000 troops to help regain the northern territory but not when. One can expect continued bloodshed in Mali against northern rebels with the support of the U.S. who accuse some in the north of being tied to Al Qaeda. For more see this article.

U.S. sends more troops to Pentagon Africa Command

With little fanfare or publicity the U.S. is increasing its military presence in Africa to project U.S. power throughout the continent. A brigade of U.S. troops is being assigned to the Africa Command.

The troops will spread out through many countries. They will train local forces and also participate in military exercises. No doubt there will be special forces active in the background as well as in countries such as Mali where a U.S. trained captain successfully overthrew the elected president. He later negotiated a return to a civilian government but gained influence in that government as well.

Often the regimes where there will be training and military exercises are undemocratic. Instead of direct occupation to project power there will be a shadow war often using proxy militias to ensure that the U.S. retains influence. Not only will the training form bonds with the U.S. military but also the U.S. will supply military equipment making the security forces dependent upon the U.S. as well.

The Pentagon Africa Command now trains and equips armed forces in Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal and several other countries. The ubiquitous war on terror is often part of the justification. These missions prevent terrorist from establishing sanctuaries. However, militancy seems to be spreading rather than receding in many areas. Often U.S. intervention spawns more radical militancy as happened in Somalia.

General Odierno says the plan is “part of a new effort to provide U.S. commanders around the globe with troops on a rotational basis to meet the military needs of their regions,” Odierno forgot to specifically mention the supposed terrorist threat to the U.S. Within the U.S. there is virtually no discussion of this military expansion and no debate about the deployment in the U.S. Congress. For more see this article. or here.

Mali: Troops loyal to former president clash with coup fighters

Members of the presidential guard loyal to democratically elected but ousted president Toure fought with coup troops in Mali. However the ruling military leaders have announced on television that they control the state broadcasting building, the airport, and a key military base near the capital.

In a television message a military spokesperson said:"Elements from abroad, supported by some obscure forces within the country, carried out these attacks. Some of them have been arrested," It is not clear who the elements from abroad would be. The U.S. and the local country grouping ECOWAS have supported a transition civilian government that was negotiated with the coup leaders. Sanogo the coup leader was U.S. trained.

The presidential guard was never really in favor of the coup. The arrest of the former military chief along with attempts to arrest members of the presidential guard may have sparked the counter coup move. The guard is part of a regiment known as the Red Berets.

The Red Berets were said to be trying to capture the airport. A coup official said this was so that troops from ECOWAS could land. However ECOWAS had been part of successful negotiations for a transition government to be guided by the military..

Almost a week ago a 24 member cabinet was named by interim prime minister and former Microsoft executive Cheick Diarra. The government is to plan and supervise elections later this year. The coup leaders disrupted an election process that would have taken place if there had been no coup. For more see this article. The U.S. has some troops in Mali said to be on standby.

Mali: Deposed ex president in Senegalese embassy in Mali capital

The new president of Senegal announced that the ex president of Mali Amadou Toure is in the Senegal embassy in the Mali capital Bamako. Toure was deposed in an army coup by U.S. trained Captain Sanogo in March..

Toure resigned on April 8th as part of a deal to restore civilian rule. Senegal's new president Macky Sall said:"President Amadou Toumani Toure [is] at this moment on the territory of the residence of the embassy of Senegal in Bamako," Since the coup last month his whereabouts had not been known although military sources insisted he was safe. Ethnic Tuareg along with Islamic militants have taken control of the north of Mali and the Tuareg have declared it is an independent country of Azawad.

The new president and prime minister will need to organize elections but also do something about the northern secession. The coup leader said that the former government was not devoting sufficient resources to tackling the northern rebellion. No doubt there will be renewed conflict soon. See this article.

Mali: New Transitional President threatens total war in the north

Interview in Timbuktu

Mali is a mess. Over 200,000 people have fled the north to escape fighting, drought and food shortages. The Tuaraeg rebels have declared northern Mali as an independent republic of Azawad. But no countries have recognized Azawad.

Even within the area there are rival rebels. Timbuktu is held by a radical Islamist groups who came down from the mountains where they had fought for years. They are keeping Tuareg rebels out of the city while they impose their own rule. See the enclosed video.

The elected president of Mali was overthrown in a coup by U.S. trained Captain Sanogo. However a group of neighboring countries ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) placed sanctions on the country and no doubt with pressure from the U.S. as well Sanogo agreed to turn over power to a civilian government.

Elected president Amadou Toure was toppled by Sanogo's group on March 22. He formally resigned his position over the weekend, paving the way for the former speaker of the house Diaconda Traore to take over. No one seems to worry about the fact that the former president has no doubt been forced to resign since he was under "'protection"" of coup forces. There is almost no discussion of the fact that a democratically elected leader was overthrown and the perpetrators are not punished at all. In fact one suspects that they probably received promises of key positions during the transition government. That is not talked about much either.

Traore the new transitional president spoke of wanting peace and negotiations and then went on to promise total war if negotiations did not work out. He said:"I am president of a country that loves peace,"

After claiming he preferred the peace option he then made impossible demands upon the rebels:"We will not hesitate to wage a total and relentless war" He insists that this will happen unless the rebels leave the cities occupied. He says that he would negotiate with any group but Al Qaeda. However Al Qaeda is almost a term of convenience for any radical Islamists that authorities decide ought to be targets in the war on terror.

The transitional government is expected to consist of about 20 members including some from the Sanogo group. No doubt this was promised as a carrot to entice the group to surrender power at least nominally.

Traore has been tasked with organizing elections to return Mali fully to civilian rule. However the north is under the control of Tuareg and Islamist rebels so elections could only be held in the south. No doubt elections will be postponed indefinitely until such time as the northern territories are recaptured assuming they are.

As Traore places solving the situation in the north as a priority he will no doubt need the support of the military. The U.S. already has troops in the country on standby. Do not be surprised if drone attacks happen in the future. Everything however is now going as it should according to the power brokers. ECOWAS has dropped sanctions and the U.S. can support the regime since it is on its way to civilian rule. Everything is now legitimate and on the up and up. For more see this article.

U.S. troops sent to Mali on "standby" status

   In 2009 U.S. began anti-terrorist training of Malian armed forces

A small group of U.S. troops are in Mali on what is termed "standby" status even though the U.S. has suspended military cooperation. The coup leader is U.S. trained. Apparently negotiations for return to civilian rule are ongoing.

Over the weekend the African Command sent what it called advisory troops to the capital Bamako, Interesting that the insurgents let foreign troops in with not even any complaints it seems. A spokesperson for the African command said:.“The U.S. military members will not engage with the Malian military … until the current situation is resolved and the U.S. Government approves restitution of the long-standing U.S.-Malian partnership,”

Notice that the situation is not described as a coup. This is the same line that the U.S. took in Honduras. The situation there ended up with the elected president who was kidnapped in the coup never returning to power. Eventually a new president was elected under a government set up by the coup. The press then turned to other events. The ruling clique and the U.S. troops stationed in Honduras carried on as usual. So did the drug lords. Deciding a coup had taken place would mean cutting off all aid.

Meanwhile in the north the Tuareg rebels seem to have captured most if not all of the northern territory. They have even declared independence and imposed Sharia law. The U.S. will certainly not accept the situation and is no doubt anxious for some settlement with the rebels so that the Malian armed forces can begin retaking the north no doubt with the help of U.S. advisers and perhaps even drone attacks as in Yemen.. The rebellion was promoted on the grounds that the rebellion in the north was not being put down as it should have been.

The African Command spokesperson said:. “We’re still considering this a ‘mutiny’ with uncertain results,” Some of the Turareg rebels may have come from Libya as Gadaffi forces were defeated. Many were in the Gadaffi armed forces. For more see this article.

Mali: Tuareg rebels take Timbuktu

Coup leaders justified their action by the need to put down Tuareg rebels in the north. However, since the coup the rebels have advanced rapidly through the north..

In Timbuktu government troops fled the advance. Local militias who were guarding businesses apparently mixed with the rebels and did not fight with them. The rebels bombarded an army base but there were no troops there.

Since the coup rebels have advanced quickly taking two main towns in the north Kidal and Gao. Rebels are driving through Timbuktu waving the MNLA (Movement for the Liberation of Azawad) flag.

Timbuktu is almost 1,000 years old. It is on the southern edge of the giant Sahara desert. The town is on key trading routes. It is also noted for Islamic scholarship with over 700 ancient manuscripts in approximately sixty libraries.

The democratically elected president of Mali Amadou Toure is supposedly safe but kept at a secret location by the rebels. The fighting in the north has displaced about 200,000 people adding to the problems in Mali and neighbouring countries. For more see this article.

Do not be surprised if the U.S. intervenes secretly through special forces and drone attacks as the Tuareg fought with Gadaffi and also some rebel groups are associated with Islamic radicals. The U.S. trained the coup leader and supplies the Malian military with military equipment.

U.S. trained Mali coup leader

The leader of the Mali coup Captain Amadou Sanogo participated in a U.S. training program and has visited the U.S. several times. Sanogo trained as a part of the U.S. International Military Education and Training Program. The program is sponsored by the State Department.

Participants are handpicked by U.S. embassy staff in the countries involved. Sanogo with soldiers loyal to him staged a coup and looted the presidential palace in the process. The democratically elected president Amadou Toure is being held by the coup leaders. Sanogo staged the coup just a month before elections.

Sanogo says that the government did not provide enough resources to fight Tuareg rebels in the north. No doubt he hopes that the U.S. or others will provide military aid. Some of the Tuareg fought for the Gadaffi regime in Libya.

The coup was relatively bloodless. The coup claims that three were killed and about 40 wounded. However, these are figures from those who staged the uprising.

Sanogo claims he will call an election as soon as he puts down aa Tuareg insurgency in the north of the country. Good luck! Tuareg rebellions began back in 1916 and there have been five since. The most recent rebels have merged as the National Movement for Liberation of Azawad. See this article.

There has been widespread looting by soldiers in Bamako. Sanogo blames the looting on ill intentioned individuals. These individuals of course are among those who brought him to power.

The U.S. has condemned the coup, so has the African Union. The African Union suspended Mali's membership in the Union. The U.S. will continue its 140 million dollar aid program and has no plans to suspend it. For more see this article.