The situation with regard to Mali is at the forefront of our preoccupations. This empire founded in the 13th century, the craddle of a thousand cultures, including that of the Dogon, is today a country split in two: in the South, a provisional government terrorized by soldiers walking up and down the streets, invading the national palaces and threatening passengers at airports. In the North, Azawad, a large and beautiful territory, fought over by AQIM terrorists and independentist Targuis laity, who just joined the Islamists from Mali, proclaiming the independence of an « Islamic State of Azawad ».
In all, a country that may seem insignificant, lost in the middle of nowhere, with no natural resources or population. In fact, a problem that could become much more important to our security than was, and still is, Afghanistan.
First, because we cannot remain indifferent faced with the humanitarian disaster that is on the horizon. Then again because this country is becoming the meeting point of evil forces from around the world: weapons from Libya (we lost track of 10,000 ground to air missiles), drug traffickers from Latin America (going through Guinea Bissau, Nigeria and other countries, and going back to Europe by countless clandestine airports). Here, as in Colombia, there has been collusion between drug traffickers and political extremist activists. With this time, in addition, some religious fundamentalism.
Then again because this secession can destabilize all the other countries in the region, from Mauritania to Chad, from Algeria to Senegal, from Nigeria
to Libya.
Finally, because this area can become a support base for training terrorists and suicide bombers, who will target Western interests throughout the region; and even, through multiple crossing methods, in Europe. They are only a few hundred for the moment; and if nothing is done, they will soon be several thousands, from Pakistan, Indonesia and Latin America. And uranium deposits in Niger, essential to France, are not far away.
On-going mediations, under the direction of Burkina Faso, seem to be stuck in a rut.
We must act to avoid a crystallization in Mali of an impregnable stronghold of international terrorism. In the South, to provide civil authorities with the means to decide without fear, to restore security, to restructure the military and kick-start economic growth. In the North, to end this secession, military actions on the ground will be needed, through remote logistical support, observation means, drones and a capacity of strategic oversight.
Who can do all this? Obviously not the Malian government alone, which has neither the military weapons nor the authority. Not ECOWAS either, which has no sufficient military resources to ensure all the necessary actions and who cannot even hope to receive the request from the Malian government, under the influence of uncertain forces. Not OAU either; at least not alone.
Then who? The UN? NATO? The question will be raised very soon. There too, Europe of course should be united and put itself in a position to decide and act. This is not the case. However, if the current mediations fail, it will soon be necessary to think about setting up a coalition like the one that worked in Afghanistan. Before an equivalent of 11 September 2001 is imposed upon us.