(en) France, Organisation Communiste Libertarie - Courant Alternatif CA #227 - MALI: CHRONICLE OF A WAR ANNOUNCED (fr)

Of course, if France intervened militarily in Mali, it is by no means to protect the 
people, but to defend its economic interests and imperialist policies. Of course, contrary 
to what was said at the outset, the conflict will be long and many victims among the 
civilian population in Mali, and especially women, promote mutual abuses and reprisals. Of 
course, the goal is not to restore democracy but to maintain the authority of France on a
future power in Mali. All this has a sense of deja vu, whether in the recent past, or in 
the long history of French colonialism and Fran?afrique. But beyond that, the situation 
needs to be analyzed a little more closely, if only to understand why the Malian 
population is overwhelmingly relieved the French intervention, at least for the moment.

What happens there has issues that go far beyond the mere Mali, and may extend into other
countries. We have seen the impact in Algeria were almost immediate.

A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WESTERN POWERS AND ESPECIALLY OF FRANCE!

The first responsibility of France, of course, is the colonial legacy, including the 
borders: with a ruler on a map. This colonial heritage has been extended with 
neo-colonialism: the history of Mali since independence, it is primarily the overthrow of
Modibo Ke?ta in favor of the dictatorship of Moussa Traor?, which lasted until 1991. This
is the story of the guardianship of France on the production of cotton, gold ... It is the 
authority of France on the currency (the CFA franc is managed by the Banque de France). 
This is the supervision of the IMF, structural adjustment programs and privatization of 
the injunction limited infrastructure available to the country. When keeping force a 
country under trusteeship, it is responsible for its economic and its political 
disintegration. The colonial legacy weighs particularly on the North. That France has left 
a legacy, it is also a management revolts. Since its birth, the Malian government manages
"the question Tuareg" in the manner of colonists on quiet revolts (usually armed in this 
region) distributing money to the chieftains who naturally take ownership to strengthen 
their power, without the problems of the region are resolved so far. Until the next 
revolt, always conducted from a military standpoint by chieftains. France bears a 
historical responsibility egalemet with its intervention in Libya. This intervention has 
destabilized the entire region, she knew in advance. Weapons of "jihadi" are those 
distributed by the Libyan rebels France and weapons of ex-Gaddafi mercenaries. The road 
was blocked with columns retreated Niger, AREVA advocacy forces and opened in Mali. France 
preferred she postpones the problem in this country? Agreements have been concluded with 
the MNLA to control the wealth of the basement of the North? Complicity and corruption of
the Malian government does not explain everything. Anyway, intervening in Libya, France 
started the fire which she now claims the firefighter. And all this can only strengthen 
military presence in Africa which extends from Chad in C?te d'Ivoire.

We must also remember the dual responsibility of the United States. First, their presence
including former military: through multiple means including Peace Corps, and as trainers 
frames the Malian army. They formed among others Captain Sanogo who made the coup, and a 
number of Tuareg integrated into the army in accordance with previous agreements and then
rallied the "rebellion". They also bear a heavy responsibility ideological. For decades, 
Saudi Arabia wahabbiste insists its interpretation of Islam through multiple mosques which 
financed the construction, charities, infrastructure construction ... The privileged ally
of the United States made an ideological background working for decades to spread the soil 
on which can then proliferate armed Islamist groups, and this with their greater blessing
(if the United States were bothered by religious fundamentalism , it's not). Finally, do 
not forget the states of the region, primarily Algeria. Everyone has tried to use the 
Tuareg to destabilize its neighbor and advance his pawns in the region. Algeria in 
particular got rid of the remnants of the GSPC Mali (1) while taking advantage of 
cross-border traffic associated with it.

SOME HISTORICAL ELEMENTS FOR UNDERSTANDING

The Tuareg are a problem in the United States in the region since independence, by 
definition, the nomads do not respect borders, which is when most are drawn without regard 
for local realities. The topic is particularly important in Mali because of the extent 
that it represents in relation to the whole of their territory.

We must understand that the weight of history is important. The Tuareg have a tradition of 
raiding and slavery against black people surrounding. The weight of Mauritania weighs 
heavily in the minds of Mali. Power is power Moorish racist. Slavery is officially 
abolished ... in 1981. It still exists. Fulani (who also live in Mali Mopti and especially 
in the north) have been victims of a genocide in the 90s. Black people also inhabit 
Mauritania Mali and Senegal. The Haunting of Malians very long time, well before the 
current events, is to see one second Mauritania settle in the north.

You have to add the game to neighboring countries. Two of the occupation forces northern 
city of AQIM Moujao and (2) are directly derived from the former GSPC including Algeria 
got rid partly outside its borders. Sahara has always been an area of ??trade, the passage 
between the northern and southern Africa. Legal or illegal trade. Trafficking are many old 
cigarettes, drugs, raw materials, labor and slaves, hostages ... This is an area of ?? 
banditry long. In a very poor area, illegal trade and use of mercenaries who are 
accompanied by an important outlet. To benefit from crime must be in good bands, good 
clans, including the right Islamist networks. This traffic has naturally to states in the
region, first and foremost their corrupt officials. If Amadou Toumani Toure (ATT says), 
former president overthrown by the coup plotters, was accused of complicity with the 
Islamists, it is mainly because of corruption. A scandal broke out some time ago when we 
had discovered a drug plane in the desert.

You should also know that the Libyan interests weighed a heavy weight in the Malian 
economy. He was criticized to be sold to Gaddafi. His family has (had?) Significant real 
estate holdings in Bamako, Mali emigration was large in Libya, including Gaddafi as 
mercenaries (but then, rather Tuareg).

Let the chronology since the fall of Gaddafi. In January 2012, it is the rebel attacks in
the north. They are primarily the result of the MNLA, national liberation movement of 
Azawad, which would spokesman for the Tuareg rebellion, combined with Ansar Dine (3). Its
leader, Lyad Ag Ghali, had been dismissed from his leadership and appointed consul in 
Saudi Arabia by ATT. Meanwhile it has become Islamist and was already allied with AQIM 
when the MNLA has partnered with him. They took the main northern cities, Timbuktu, Gao 
and Kidal. The MNLA was gradually eliminated, as always happens with political groups who
commit the fatal mistake to ally with armed groups of the extreme right. Timbuktu fell to
Ansar Dine, and in those of Gao Moujao. All this takes place roughly from January to June
The MNLA (and Ansar Dine?) Claims Azawad, very very big northern Mali. AQIM and Moujao, by 
cons, want to establish an Islamic regime across the country.

These rapid military victories are explained: the rebels who have part of the Libyan 
arsenal are better armed than the Malian army, corruption is more than a part of the money 
does not translate into weapons the hands of the soldiers. Part of the army is composed of 
Tuareg (this is the result of previous peace agreements in the 90s), many, including 
senior officers, deserting with arms and baggage to join the enemy. In addition, the army
is traditionally a cheese in which those who have stuck their children in search of work.
These are not necessarily in a hurry to die. Meanwhile, in March, a month before the 
presidential elections in which the president is not present, was held in Bamako a coup, 
Captain Sanogo. This is actually the result of a mutiny in the barracks of Kati (in the 
south, near Bamako) following the massacre of a hundred soldiers in the north. Accuse the
military of being an accomplice to a minimum by passivity. A compromise president is 
appointed Diouncounda Traore, former President of the National Assembly. To give an idea 
of ??the fragility of his position, he was pummeled in May in his presidential palace with 
the complicity of the junta. The Prime Minister that he had appointed was arrested in 
November by the junta and therefore had to resign in favor of a new one. The theme of the
coup is to seek arms to fight against the North, but the CADD an embargo. Making positions 
against the intervention of the CADD little legitimacy in the eyes of the population, who
tend to regard the military as corrupt (and politicians for that matter) is that at the 
same time nobody has left the barracks to mount Kati fighting in the north, even after the 
embargo was lifted and weapons began to be delivered for about three months. Nothing has 
been done either to allow people to defend themselves.

AND NOW? when the French army intervened, the jihadists were going to take a stranglehold
on both sides of the river (in a country where there are very few bridges) S?var? City 
(suburb of Mopti) that is to say they were heading to Bamako. Ultramajoritaire reaction of 
the people of this part of the country (by far the largest) was relief, and they can 
understand. In view of the collapse of the institutions of their country, they already saw 
in cutting Islamists, which is rejected by the vast majority of the population (about 90%
Muslim).

Beyond our opposition to French imperialism, are careful not to repeat ourselves of 
colonial prejudices. We think that ultimately this intervention will worsen things. This 
is not a reason to take Malians for fools. They applaud the intervention of the French 
army, it is not that they are ignorant of the colonial past, they ignore the role of 
France in Libya (4), they are unaware that France defends interests. They are not 
Americans-fed tales of Disney. They know that this war is "collateral damage" of civilian
casualties, many. They know that France then weigh on the future of their country (but it
has always done). Many people think that this is the price to pay for not being occupied 
by the Northmen.

On site, we must differentiate the occupied north and south. North, of course, the 
Islamists implantation. They are masters of traffic, the money are the ones who can offer
jobs, those who ride in nice cars are their collaborators. But there are also passive 
resistance of the population. For example, the Islamists can not get it attends public 
punishments (hand cut, lashes ...). They are reduced to compel by force Malian journalists 
on site to attend and shoot (you'll notice that it is always filmed in close-ups). South,
all the traditional Malian culture opposes fundamentalism. It is certainly a patriarchal 
society, but their way of life Islam is totally different: women around, young people 
attend, problems are resolved first by the word, are companies rather peaceful compromise. 
The music plays an important role. That said, the long-term work of Saudi imams we 
mentioned above has borne fruit. There throughout the country in small groups ready to 
support Islamic rule. I do not know the exact extent of abuses, but there has been and 
there will be. I guess many Tuareg fled Bamako. For a year, ask their militias into the 
army (but not weapons), including populations of northern (southern North) who want to 
defend themselves, and believe that the best defense is attack.

Lastly, there is the question of the post. Supposedly, France came to support the Malian 
army to restore the sovereignty of Mali on its territory. But the sovereignty of any 
state? The coup or older institutions? Both are equally discredited. In fact, it is likely 
that the future will be shaped by Malian state of France. It has for a while ....

MANY QUESTIONS REMAIN PENDING This raises the problem of the lack of international 
solidarity and therefore goes with it. As good as the proclamations against foreign 
intervention when not accompanied by any concrete assistance to threatened populations for 
resistance? As we still and always denounce Fran?afrique, the French military presence 
throughout Central Africa and the West, as we can not be cheap for the fate of the peoples 
concerned. We put in front of our inability to influence the balance of power, and we will 
find well how to get there. We also put in front of the absence of an organized 
revolutionary movement in this region.

It is also necessary to analyze the show that we played on the register terrorists / 
Islamists against Western / humanitarian. Islamism has certainly existence and its own 
logic, but he was encouraged and financed by the United States, by the very powers who 
claim to fight today to eradicate communism. These powers are now trying to control 
trafficking in the Sahel who took too large for their taste and threaten their interests,
but they are also supported on them: AREVA agreements with the Tuaregs they provide 
security for its staff, various games disorders and various Secret Service emissaries in 
the region, secret agreements ... Finance religious fundamentalism is a good way to divert 
the anger of despoiled peoples that might open your eyes. Arming jihadists to fight then 
in the name of anti-terrorism seems to be a usual game, game whose populations are still 
fresh. It will be a good way then we replay the scene West against Islam, making it cheap
here, people rebel against Sharia are Muslim. Understand what is really happening in Mali
is necessary for many reasons. The conflict will continue and could spread to neighboring
countries. This conflict is not far away. Malians know the weight of colonialism and 
neo-colonialism, do not forget that many are used here belong to oppressed here. In this 
sense, it is not an external question.

Paris January 21, 2013