NEW MALI FACTION CALLS FOR NEGOTATION
One of the three Islamist rebel movements occupying northern Mali is reported to have split, with a breakaway faction saying it is ready to negotiate with the government.
Alghabass Ag Intallah, a senior leader of Ansar Dine, the
predominantly Malian Tuareg armed group, said his faction wanted a
“peaceful solution” to the conflict, which pits French and Malian forces
against the rebels.
The newly formed Islamic Movement for Azawad also rejected “all forms of extremism and terrorism” and was committed to fighting them, it said in a statement.A background to the deteriorating situation in Mali and why France decided to intervene
It is not known how many fighters Mr Ag Intallah has under his direct command, or whether his motives are genuine.
The newly formed Islamic Movement for Azawad also rejected “all forms of extremism and terrorism” and was committed to fighting them, it said in a statement.A background to the deteriorating situation in Mali and why France decided to intervene
It is not known how many fighters Mr Ag Intallah has under his direct command, or whether his motives are genuine.
Source: Al Jazeera
MALIAN REBELS VOW TO ‘OPEN GATES TO HELL?
TIMBUKTU, Mali - As Islamists in northern Mali threatened to "open the gates of
hell," the United States is navigating one tricky quandary: how does it
help in the battle against the militants without violating its own policy?
U.S. policy prohibits direct military aid to Mali
because the fledgling government is a result of a coup.
No support can go to the Malian military directly
until leaders are elected through an election, said Victoria Nuland, the State
Department spokeswoman.
- "We are not in a position to train the Malian military until we have democracy restored," she said this week.
- The international community is concerned that the militants will create a terrorist haven in the desert region, which analysts say has the potential to become the next Afghanistan.
- Though Islamist militant groups affiliated with al Qaeda, such as Ansar Dine, are rampant in the north, they co-exist with other anti-government opportunists, complicating U.S. involvement in an offensive touted as anti-terror.
Source: CNN
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