France to Take Part in Future Mali Peacekeeping
Worldwide, Daily news | ankakh | April 4, 2013 23:44French troops will take part in a future U.N. peacekeeping mission inMaliafter they end their task of clearing al-Qaida-linked rebels out ofMali’s vast northern region.
French President Francois Hollande made the announcement Thursday as he spoke beforeMorocco’s parliament, part of a two-day visit celebrating the two nations’ close cooperation.
Elections inMaliare planned for July.
Maliwas plunged into turmoil after a coup in March 2012 created a security vacuum. That allowed secular rebel Tuaregs, who have long felt marginalized byMali’s government, to take half of the country’s vast north as a new homeland. But months later, their struggle was co-opted by Islamic jihadists, who imposed strict Shariah law in the north.
Francelaunched a military operation on Jan. 11 against the Islamic extremists, many linked to al-Qaida, after they suddenly started moving south and captured key towns. Backed by Chadian soldiers, French troops ousted the radical Islamic fighters from major towns in northernMali, though many went into hiding in the desert and continue to carry out attacks.
Hollande said last week the first ofFrance’s more than 4,000 troops inMaliwill pull out in late April and by July, will be down to 2,000 soldiers. He said just 1,000 will remain by the end of the year.
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