Germany's Mali Predicament: Trapped Between France and War

[sysop]

Germany is eager to prove it is a reliable ally, particularly after it snubbed France and stayed out of Libya. Wary of getting pulled into the violence in Mali, it has instead offered two planes to transport troops.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...-a-878187.html

[martin.julie]

Why is France in Mali?
(National reasons).
The first reason is that UN mandated France to act and Mali asked for help to France.
The second major reason is that there are more than 7000 French national in Mali, they are working in different economic sectors. France always protects its fellows whatever the place they are in the world.
France can not offer to the Islamic terrorists more than 7000 potential hostages.

(International reasons).
The first reason is to stop the hegemonic ambitions of Islamists and stop the atrocities they commit.
The second reason is that we can not let thrive and grow at the gates of Europe an Islamic army whose goals are clearly displayed namely the destruction of Western democracies and the conversion by force to radical Islam of people living in the conquered territories. "To give" an entire country to buy our security would be a major strategic error. In the 30s, we have already left entire countries into the hands of exalted fanatics (Anschluss Austria 1938, Czechoslovakia 1938) thinking that it would satisfy the Nazi’s thirst for conquest, and buying what we thought to be our freedom.
In addition, there are unfortunately on European territories, favorable conditions for the development of Islamist groups. These groups exist and they will naturally reinforce if we let them enrich with narcotic traffics, hostage taking, occupation of a country .

Can France stay alone in Mali?
Of course, NO! Mali is not a French war. Within the next months France will gradually withdraw from Mali.France wants African troops replace French troops. It is up to Africans to defend their territory. France has avoided the worst in an emergency. The EU must now take over with equipment and men to enable Africans to build their own defense.
France is not the “super cop of Africa”, France is no longer a colonial power. If the EU does not come in support of France, it will leave traces in French public opinion that it will be difficult to erase and most important Europe will send a very strange message to the rest of the world.

[stevej8]

Germany is under no obligation to become deeply involved in Mali, which is a former French colony and still within what France regards as its sphere of influence, with some justice considering the history and cultural/linguistic links. Perhaps if it were a matter of a former German colony it would be different, but as it is, some logistical and reconstruction aid are all that is due, and no more is likely to be necessary, as the situation in Mali is well within the capacity of France and the relevant African neighbours to handle, Mali is not Afghanistan by a good measure.