Africa

Al Qaeda Country Why Mali matters.

Thu, 17/01/2013 - 08:28
Original Article Post Date: 
Tue, 15/01/2013

Al Qaeda Country  Why Mali matters.

BY PETER CHILSON |JANUARY 15, 2013

Read Peter Chilson's gripping new ebook on the lost country of Mali.
In 1893, in West Africa's upper Niger River basin -- what is now central Mali -- the French army achieved a victory that had eluded it for almost 50 years: the destruction of the jihadist Tukulor Empire, one of the last great challenges to France's rule in the region.

French Preparing for Extended Mali Intervention

Thu, 17/01/2013 - 08:25
Original Article Post Date: 
Wed, 16/01/2013

French Preparing for Extended Mali Intervention

By Matthias Gebauer

16 January 2013

Initially, the French intervention in Mali looked as though it would be over quickly. But President Hollande has vowed to drive out Islamist extremists and establish democracy in the country. As in Afghanistan, the operation could take much longer than expected.

Germany's Risky Offer Of Help

Tue, 15/01/2013 - 09:27
Original Article Post Date: 
Mon, 14/01/2013

Germany's Risky Offer Of Help

By Matthias Gebauer and Severin Weiland

14 January 2013

In Mali, the French air force is fighting to push back Islamist forces. The German government wants to stand by its close ally and has offered Paris logistical assistance. Is Berlin getting itself into another lasting conflict?

Mali rebels in threat of long war

Tue, 15/01/2013 - 09:16
Original Article Post Date: 
Mon, 14/01/2013

 

Mali rebels in threat of long war

 

Al Qaeda-linked Islamist rebels launched a counteroffensive in Mali today after four days of French air strikes on their northern strongholds, seizing the central town of Diabaly and promising to drag France into a brutal Afghanistan-style war.

West Scrambles to Counter Islamist Offensive

Sat, 12/01/2013 - 09:45
Original Article Post Date: 
Fri, 11/01/2013

West Scrambles to Counter Islamist Offensive

By Matthias Gebauer in Sevare, Mali

11 January 2013

France led the West on Friday in offering to help Mali's interim government push back a surprise offensive launched Thursday by Islamist forces from the north. Elite French troops are reportedly already on the ground.

Regional Leaders Meet to End Central African Republic Unrest

Fri, 11/01/2013 - 09:20
Original Article Post Date: 
Thu, 10/01/2013

Regional Leaders Meet to End Central African Republic Unrest

Bloomberg, 10 January 2013

Talks to end the month-old rebellion in the Central African Republic are scheduled to resume today with a meeting of regional heads of government in the Gabonese capital, Libreville.

Basile Ikouebe, foreign minister of the Congo Republic, opened negotiations yesterday between the government of the Central African Republic and rebels. The insurgents, who accuse President Francois Bozize of failing to honor the terms of a 2008 peace deal, have been moving toward Bangui since starting an offensive on Dec. 10.

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