USA Africa Dialogue Series - Tuareg seizure of half of Mali

Tuareg seizure of more than half of Mali may destabilize five countries in West Africa:
Mauretania, Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and of course Mali. Add Algeria to the list.

This is one of the most fundamental threats to West Africa in
recent times. Note that the Tuareg have population groups in the above countries and
they are actually claiming terrain beyond Mali.

Mali has been cut down to less than half
and the historic Timbuctu has been seized. It seems that most
Tuareg are fundamentalists not moderates.

This is an entry point for al-Qaida, directly affiliated with some of the factions involved.
One wonders whether Boko Haram, in Nigeria, may affiliate themselves with the fundamentalists
and so, too, Somalia's al-Shabaab.

Rumor has it that the various factions are jostling for power. That may slow down
their offensive but the danger remains real.

ECOWAS and the African Union must act fast.

Dr. Gloria Emeagwali
www.africahistory.net<http://www.africahistory.net/>
www.esnips.com/web/GloriaEmeagwali<http://www.esnips.com/web/GloriaEmeagwali>
emeagwali@ccsu.edu<mailto:emeagwali@ccsu.edu>

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