Mission in Mali

The occupation of the north of Mali by jihadist guerrillas has lately become a threat of the first order for the country itself, its neighbors and Europe. This is one of the undesired effects of the collapse of the Gaddafi regime in Libya, which had attracted Tuareg warriors and others in its defense. If the armed Islamists consolidate this area as a sanctuary, it would constitute an Afghanistan on the doorstep of the European Union. It could be a springboard for terrorist attacks in Europe, as well as strengthening the kidnapping network in the region, and unbalancing neighbor states.

For all these reasons we can only welcome the decision, endorsed by the UN, to set up an African force for the reconquest of this territory, with European support. The EU will contribute to the training and operative capacity of the force, made up of troops from members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Its task is going to be a reconquest of the lost territory: that is, a challenge of a caliber never before addressed by the EU. And, within the Union, it will require a high level of solidarity between North and South. Algeria, though affected by the situation, is abstaining from direct involvement, but it may commit itself to the task of closing its territory to jihadists fleeing from Mali.

The details of the EU’s military mission, which has received the political support of the European Council, are only gradually becoming apparent, though one of its principal duties will be to organize and train the precarious army of Mali up to a level where it will be able to reconquer the lost territory. This is going to call for a substantial amount of logistical support from Europe, as well as a supply of information from the United States.

Al Qaeda’s tentacles

On Monday the rebels denied reports of the arrival of hundreds of combatants in their support, proceeding from Sudan and the Western Sahara, which suggests that the situation may easily get worse and that intervention is an urgent matter. In the view of French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, it will have to be a matter of weeks, not of months. Spain has no plans to intervene with troops on the ground, but it does plan to play an active role. The Spanish government would do well to explain just what this role will comprise.

In principle, the operation ought to be the starting point in a widespread struggle against the multiple tentacles of Al Qaeda in the Muslim area of West Africa. But if it is to have any credibility at all, the state of Mali must also do its part. The provisional president, Dioncounda Traoré, came to power after a coup d’état in March. Since that time he has been doggedly putting off a promised national dialogue that was to lead to the holding of new elections. Brute force is not enough. The moral authority of votes is necessary too.