The situation in Mali worries many in Africa and beyond. Neighbouring countries – politically united in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) – swing from fear of being involved in a war it is not theirs and the uncertainty of dealing with thousands of refugees. The African Union wishes to resolve matters…
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With the proclamation of total war against terrorism following Al Qaida attacks in the USA, the American Department of State promoted several regional initiatives, among them the Pan Sahel Initiative (2002). This is a military agreement between Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Chad and the USA to contain the expansion of Islamic terror groups in the…
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On April 6th, the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (Mnla) declared the independence of the Republic of Azawad. This new country, not recognized by the international community, comprises the regions of Kidal, Gao and Timbuktu; regions that the French colonizers annexed to Mali at the time of independence. The Mnla stressed that…
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It was an open secret; the tension in the north had been mounting for years. No one in Mali was surprised when, last January, the Tuareg took up arms fighting for the liberation of Azawad, the collective name of the three Malian northern regions. Since the beginning, the leaders of the National Movement for…
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In 2000, the United Nations (UN) held a Millennium Summit and in its Millennium Declaration adopted the eight international Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to be achieved by 2015.…
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It so happened one day that Lion and Jackal came together to converse on affairs of land and state. Jackal, let me say, was the most…
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The students are on the streets, waving banners, banging drums, singing, chanting, and calling for an end to the causes driving climate change that is wrecking…
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