Mali: Ecowas Weighs Military Option

FOLLOWING the escalation of hostilities in the northern part of Mali, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is considering a military option, even though such action would be taken on ground of peacekeeping operation.

The ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, at the weekend, recommended the deployment of a regional force to assist Mali secure its territorial integrity. The option is contained in the report of the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff.

The commission explained in Abuja yesterday that the possible deployment of force is part of a “strategic approach being pursued by the region to end rebellion of separatist groups in northern Mali.”

The council had decided at an extra-ordinary meeting, which ended late Thursday in Abidjan, that the regional force would be deployed if dialogue being brokered by the regional mediator, President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, fails.

The report of the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff at an April 5 meeting had specified the form/mandate of the force, modalities of deployment, proposal for designating the force commander and the contribution of troops and logistics.

“ECOWAS shall take all necessary measures to end the rebellion and maintain the unity and territorial integrity of Mali, including the use of force,” the Council, which comprises ministers of foreign affairs, maintained.

The ministers insisted that the rebels withdrew from all occupied territories as a pre-condition for negotiations.

Worried by reported infiltration by terrorists, the European Union, France and the United States have already indicated their willingness to support ECOWAS’ effort to end the conflict.

To address the anticipated humanitarian consequences of the crisis, the ministers directed the transfer of the $3 approved by regional leaders to the legitimate government of Mali and another $1.5m to its neighbouring countries — Burkina Faso and Niger.

Also, the ministers agreed to dispatch a military contingent to Guinea Bissau to replace the departing Angolan Mission to ensure effective implementation of the regional roadmap for the country’s defence and security reform.

The contingent is also to ensure sanity during the scheduled April 29 presidential run-off election.