French Defence Minister wants to conquer Mali

Mali conflict: France aiming for 'total reconquest'

France's military aim in Mali is its "total reconquest", French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said.

"We will not leave any pockets" of resistance, he told French television. France has sent in 2,000 troops to help Malian forces fight Islamist militants who now control the northern half of the country. Mr Le Drian said the former Islamist stronghold of Diabaly had not yet been retaken, even though the militants withdrew from the town two days ago. However, he added that "everything points to a favourable evolution of the situation in Diabaly in the coming hours". Mr Le Drian also said during his interview that seven French citizens who have been taken hostage in Niger and Mali in recent years "are alive", and there have been "contacts with hostage-takers". There had been concerns for their fate following France's decision to send troops into Mali earlier this month.

www.bbc.co.uk...

Colonial habits never die

He was not saying “re-conquest for France”, he was saying re-conquest for the Malians.

I am pleased that there is now an effort to sort out these Islamists who are attempting to cause mayhem in these North African nations. All they bring is divisiveness and repression and I have no problem with France asserting themselves in support of an ex-colony in trouble.

Some people should pause to consider what these Islamists bring to the nations and regions they seek to despoil.

Regards

Great, another conflict which will most likely get out of control and kill thousands of people.

Please read what is actually going on before spouting nonsense. The northern part of Mali has been terrorized and destabilized by Islamists. Originally these islamists allied itself with local tribes, who are also muslim, to take over the area and impose sharia law. When they these islamists took over, they decided to back stab the tribes, and now they want all of Mali to follow allah. This created a surge in senseless violence all over the country. Mali being a former territory of france, and also having a large french speaking population, are trying to take over the area again to stabalize the region and stop these extremists for continuing to gain power.

Aren't these conflicts usually fallowed by mass genocide?

Are they actually going to leave behind a stable government with a competent police force? Or just go as long as public support will allow them then find some excuse to walk away a let millions of people that France pretended to be friends with get murdered by apposing forces that they could not defeat?

This is sick. Seriously after how many times of doing this to these poor nations are people going to understand nobody is there to help, just rape resources and leave.

If France wants to help Mali, they can adopt them, be fiscally responsible for them and protect the residents under French law. Anything less has a proven track record of causing mass suffering and mass murder.

Originally posted by Svipdagr
Please read what is actually going on before spouting nonsense. The northern part of Mali has been terrorized and destabilized by Islamists. Originally these islamists allied itself with local tribes, who are also muslim, to take over the area and impose sharia law. When they these islamists took over, they decided to back stab the tribes, and now they want all of Mali to follow allah. This created a surge in senseless violence all over the country. Mali being a former territory of france, and also having a large french speaking population, are trying to take over the area again to stabalize the region and stop these extremists for continuing to gain power.

Spouting nonsense???

Who are you to decide what is nonsense? This is a discussion board and there is no such thing as FACT when you are talking about one Nations intentions of invading another.

If you don't agree thats great, state your point. Stop acting like a bully!!

reply to post by FirstCasualty


He specifically said that France wants to conquer Mali. When obviously that isn't the truth. Regardless of which perspective you are looking from. A bully? Seriously? Hmm lets look at another example of why the french are doing the right thing. The Malian Army doesn't even have enough money to use real bullets when training. The videos of soldiers training with guns while shouting "boom boom boom" "pew pew pew" isn't fake. How can the malian people win a war with a heavily funded group of islamists.

reply to post by Svipdagr


Maybe the leaders of Mali should stop splashing the money on themselves and start thinking about their country... I find it hard to believe they cannot fund an army with the support of the West.

Originally posted by FirstCasualty

Originally posted by Svipdagr
Please read what is actually going on before spouting nonsense. The northern part of Mali has been terrorized and destabilized by Islamists. Originally these islamists allied itself with local tribes, who are also muslim, to take over the area and impose sharia law. When they these islamists took over, they decided to back stab the tribes, and now they want all of Mali to follow allah. This created a surge in senseless violence all over the country. Mali being a former territory of france, and also having a large french speaking population, are trying to take over the area again to stabalize the region and stop these extremists for continuing to gain power.

Spouting nonsense???

Who are you to decide what is nonsense? This is a discussion board and there is no such thing as FACT when you are talking about one Nations intentions of invading another.

If you don't agree thats great, state your point. Stop acting like a bully!!

Their are facts and when someone tries to take a quote and make it into something it is not people should call it out as the bunk it is. Also what nation is invading what nation? Are you even sure what is going on?

Originally posted by Svipdagr
reply to post by FirstCasualty

 

He specifically said that France wants to conquer Mali. When obviously that isn't the truth. Regardless of which perspective you are looking from. A bully? Seriously? Hmm lets look at another example of why the french are doing the right thing. The Malian Army doesn't even have enough money to use real bullets when training. The videos of soldiers training with guns while shouting "boom boom boom" "pew pew pew" isn't fake. How can the malian people win a war with a heavily funded group of islamists.

edit on 20-1-2013 by Svipdagr because: (no reason given)

Fine! Great! It sounds like they have a case for intervention. The question is, are they going to see it through to a stable lawful nation? How much lighter in resources is Mali going to be when this is all over? When the french get to the point that they are no longer making progress, are they going to leave the people they were there to protect to their fate? Which historically equals mass murder.

I called you a bully and i stick by it. You have information that another poster did not and instead of helping them out you use the term "spouting nonsense." Did you really think that was going to help the poster or did you just want to spank him with your grand knowledge? Maybe make the poster feel stupid for saying what he or she did? either way you are not a helpful person and I would describe you as a bully for that.

Really? You have clearance to know these facts?

Do i know what is going on? actually no not really, Some blah blah about "taliban" and "militants" maybe something to do with Koney... oh wait protecting victims of Islam!! Ya that sounds like the word of the day. Trouble is my Prime Minister has a Majority government so he isn't saying much since he doesn't have to. We are heading into Mali. Truth is I really don't care what's going on, I don't pay taxes so its I'm not paying for it what ever it is.

One thing is certain though, when i see a bully either on line or in real life, I ATTACK!

Originally posted by DarknStormy
reply to post by Svipdagr

 

Maybe the leaders of Mali should stop splashing the money on themselves and start thinking about their country... I find it hard to believe they cannot fund an army with the support of the West.

The Malian Army is recruiting, 15.000 men since early december, that is before the French operation.

Mali is news now but troubles in Sahel have been going on for years.
Last year, their army has been completely overrun by the rebels in northern Mali. It led to desertions, defections and troops switching allegiance. Moral is low. Several domestic scandals of corruption and discontent within the army have led to a military coup in spring. Power was handed back to the civilians after a few weeks, you'll look yourself for the details of the story if you wish. But the junta is still in control in the background and they have asked for and obtained the resignation of the new Prime Minister in december.
So yes, the leaders of Mali should have stopped splashing the money on themselves but there is a different controller now.

ECOWAS, Economic Community of West African States, agreed last year to mount a multinational military force to deal with the threat in Sahel, with logistics help from the traditional players.
They are not ready yet, these things take time.
They have been asking for direct intervention from the traditional players for months.
France, at last, moved in because the rebels have suddenly pushed south, out of Sahel, and were threatening the capital and the country.
France has committed itself to stay until the ECOWAS force can take over like it was agreed upon a year ago.

Speculations about what will happen in the future are only that, speculations.
For once, the situation and the motives of the intervention are quite clear and the turn of events is logical though.

Allow me to add a few quickly researched main news media links :

Mali braced for military intervention amid fears it could become 'next Somalia' (guardian.co.uk in July)

International leaders push for military intervention in Mali (cnn.com in october)

ECOWAS agrees to Mali intervention force (aljazeera.com in november)

Click here for more information.

conquest in Mali?
with the 2000 troops and minimal combat aircraft?
what about Frances dying economy and youthful backlash against its government?

conquest in Mali? hell the French cant even subdue their unemployed youth in Paris suburbs!

Click here for more information.

Click here for more information.

reply to post by paraphi

He was not saying “re-conquest for France”, he was saying re-conquest for the Malians.

like how the US "liberated" Iraq?

Yeah we have seen that before.....it is the way things are. I hope people see now that it is not the US that is doing these things or perpetrating them, it is that GLOBALISTS of every country are.

The same way its benign and harmless on the part of the French, it is so for the Americans.

International Private contractors on the other hand....