France Poised to Extend Mali Mission Despite Pull-Out Promises
Mali was peaceful until a coup last year led to a political vacuum that allowed Islam-inspired militants to grab control of the country's north.
By Sadho Ram — 03 Feb 2013, 02:34 PM — Updated over 11 years ago
France in Mali until at least July
Mali was peaceful until a coup last year led to a political vacuum that allowed Islam-inspired militants to grab control of the country's north.
panarmenian.net
French troops will stay in the West African country of Mali at least until July, amid tougher-than-expected resistance from Islamic fighters.
etruth.comFrance asks UN to take over Mali mission by April
Mali will have to request the UN deployment, though Araud said that there are "different views" there about the presence of an international force. French President Francois Hollande has already said his forces could start to pull out in March.
Image via dw.deThe UN should begin planning for African-led forces in Mali to become a full peacekeeping mission, France tells the Security Council, as clashes continue.
French troops clash with Islamists in Mali
Paris today said French and Malian troops clashed with Islamists near Gao after reporting hundreds of insurgents had been killed in a "real war" to reclaim northern Mali.
Malian soldiers patrolling a city recently abandoned by insurgents have uncovered a stash of industrial-strength explosives.
Timbuktu Hails Francois Hollande, Its Saviour In A Suit
French President Francois Hollande (left) with Malian President Dioncounda Traore (right) in Bamako on Saturday. - AFP
Image via windows.net
A crowd reported to be in the thousands chanted “Thank you, France” and “Long live François Hollande.”
Image via imgur.com
Crowds gathered in Timbuktu on Saturday to welcome President François Hollande
Image via nytimes.com
A chief Touarag waves his sword in celebration of the arrival of President Hollande (Will Wintercross for the Telegraph)
Image via telegraph.co.ukYesterday, in the eyes of Timbuktu's people, Mr Hollande became the liberator of one of the most famous – if isolated – cities in the world.
Hollande, paid a triumphant visit to this ancient city, receiving a rapturous welcome from thousands of ppl who gathered next to a 14th century mosque to dance, play drums and chant, "Vive la France!"
France's President Francois Hollande says it would be wrong to assume the conflict in Mali is over after being given a rapturous welcome in Timbuktu.
Timbuktu Celebrates Defeat Of Islamist Extremists
Center of Mali's culture joyous over French troops chasing away Islamists after living in tyranny
cbsnews.comMalian Towns Liberated, Children Go Back To School
he radical fighters left a trail of destruction, destroying artifacts they deemed un-Islamic.
Image via thedailybeast.com
Radios flickered to life with music. Young women let veils fall from their heads.
Image via thedailybeast.comWith the jihadists driven out and sharia law lifted, the people of Mali are dancing and singing for the first time in months.
thedailybeast.com
Schoolteacher Ahmed Mohamed Coulibaly wipes the blackboard with a flourish, erasing the last date children came to school in the fabled Malian city of Timbuktu: March 22, 2012.
bangkokpost.com
After months of jihadist attacks in conflict-torn Mali, French and Malian troops have moved in to liberate the country from brutal militants. On January 27, troops took Timbuktu's airport and in the dead of night, the jihadists vanished from the city. Now, liberating envoys are traveling the country, pushing out its violent occupiers.Trevor Snapp documents a country on the brink of chaos and the citizens welcoming approaching troops.
Image via thedailybeast.comFrench and Malian forces retook Timbuktu and Gao this week, removing control of the Niger River Bend from jihadist militants.