‘No action yet on ECOWAS’ troops for Mali’

MALI’S Defence Minister, Col. Yamoussa Camara, yesterday said very little had been done by the international community to assist the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) set up a military intervention force to dislodge militia Islamists from the north of the country.

Camara, who addressed a meeting of army chiefs of the ECOWAS bloc on Monday, said: “Unfortunately, beyond declarations in principle and development of operational procedures, very little has been done on the ground.”

His lamentation may not be unconnected with the United Nations (UN) Security Council’s alleged foot-dragging in supporting the intervention force requested by ECOWAS and the African Union (AU).

The council held back support for the force in July, asking for more information on the size, means and plans of the proposed troops before granting it a mandate.

The meeting in Bamako was aimed at finalising arrangements for the deployment of the 3,300-strong ECOWAS force to northern Mali, where rebels and Al-Qaeda allies are holding sway.