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.

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.

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.

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: Coup leader makes deal to hand over power to interim government

As usual the power brokers care little for actual democracy, The elected president Amadou Toure is not returned to his rightful role. He has resigned. No doubt he more or less had to. Perhaps he was given incentives. Who knows. Apparently it is neither here nor there that he is not restored to his rightful position.

There will no punishment of the U.S. trained coup leader Captain Sanogo. However in return for ceding power trade and diplomatic sanctions will be dropped.l.An Al Jazeera reporter said:"We understand from sources here that the military junta will get key political ministries in the [interim] government, most likely the ministry of defence." So the junta simply has their power seizure made legal in an interim government. The coup leader announced the handover together with a representative of ECOWAS the Economic Community of West African States.

Power will be handed over to the speaker of the parliament. He will organise elections and be sworn in as president. A national unity government is to be put in place during the next few days.

The deposed president has not been seen in public since he was overthrown on March 22. Apparently he will be able to live where he wants under army protection. Translated this means army surveillance. There was no timetable given for Sanogo to step down! However sanctions are expected to be lifted immediately.

There should be elections carried out within 40 days according to the constitution. However if the northern Turareg rebellion prevents this an interim transition government would be set up.

The northern Azawad region has declared independence but of course no one will recognise it. It is not supported by any great power in fact it will be regarded as a threat. It remains to be seen whether the rebels will agree to a ceasefire or if they do if the Malian government will accept it. The reason given for the rebellion is that the government was not forceful enough in putting down the Tuareg rebellion. For more see this article.

The Malian military claims that it seeks logistical support not foreign intervention. Do not be surprised if there are U.S. drone attacks in northern Mali. There are already a small team of U.S. special forces in the country. The military is already armed and trained by the U.S. Expect more violence in the future.

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.