Mali is one of west Africa?s poorest countries, with an annual per capita of $380. The country is plagued with rebels and desert bandits, and its neighbors (Cote d?Ivoire and Mauritania , in particular) are experiencing instability. As such, domestic travel, particularly to northern regions, is not recommended, as banditry, highway robbery, and carjackings are common. However, Mali itself has a fairly stable democratic government, led since 2002 by Amadou Toumani Tour?.
Malian officials are well aware the Sahara desert, which comprises most of Mali?s northern region, is a lawless, unmonitored region of the country. This region is particularly appealing to traffickers of all kinds and to various regional terrorist networks, most notably the Algerian Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC; Group Profile), which seeks to overthrow the Algerian government. In February 2003, the GSPC moved into northern Mali and took 15 European hostages. The group has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and seems to be recruiting and training in west Africa?s Sahara desert .
The US military, likely US Special Forces, will begin training the army of Mali on or about November 15, 2006. Between 300-500 Malian soldiers will undergo ?several weeks? of anti-terrorism and peacekeeping operations training. While the details of this training remain secret, it is likely to target both the GSPC and the al-Qaeda network. The training will take place in Timbuktu and Gao (see map).
Euromilh?es Paris-Dakar 2007
The Euromilh?es Lisbon-Dakar 2007 endurance auto race is currently being planned. In 2004, French security discovered a GSPC plot to ambush the participants, so the route through Mauritania and Mali was cancelled. The 2007 race will pass through Mali in three stages of the race (see map). Geo-political problems have forced the adjustment of the race, and this year could witness the same. The French foreign intelligence service contends that participants in the race risk being kidnapped and/or ambushed by GSPC rebels, especially in Mali.
Tuareg rebels, not wanting international attention on themselves and their black market trade, have vowed to fight the GSPC in their territory and have vowed to involve the Algerian government in their campaign . This pledge could create additional instability. The Tuaregs have also staged rebellions, most recently in Kidal in May 2006, and clashed repeatedly with the GSPC in September 2006. The Tuareg posture, however, has put the group in a positive light with Algeria and to a lesser extent with Mali and the US, despite being outlaws. Algeria, in particular, wants to support the Tuarag, which long supplied their insurgents with arms and supplies.
The final details, including official start of the race, will be announced on November 16, but organizer Etienne Lavigne was ?very surprised? to learn about rebel activity and seemed, thus far, disinterested in canceling any of the race legs.
Millennium Challenge Corporation Aid
A supplemental package from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), alleged to be US$461 million over five years, was signed on November 13, 2006 to reduce poverty and promote economic growth. Nearly half (US$234.6M) will be dedicated to an irrigation program that will help ensure food production and safety. Smaller allocations were made for the Bamako-Senou International Airport and an industrial park near the airport. This package is one of the largest offered by the MCC to date and symbolizes quite an achievement by the Malian government to reach various requirements?including democratic principles, anti-corruption efforts, and emphasis on education and health programs–to qualify. The MCC offers US aid for anti-poverty programs to developing countries worldwide; since its inception in 2004, the MCC has provided US$3 billion to 11 countries.
Conclusion
It would seem that recent attention on Mali will help stabilize the country. However, Mali has long been in the news (WAR Report and WAR Report) for its attention to countering terrorism via the Pan-Sahel Initiative (aka Trans-Sahara Counter Terrorism Initiative (TSCTI)). This recent interest, though, should be a welcomed effort to enhancing peace and stability in western Africa.
