The money will go towards helping Mali recover from the conflict with Islamist militants who took control of the country’s north last year. The total sum exceeds Mali’s original target of 2 billion euro.The EU commission is supplying a large portion of the sum, allocating 524 million euro, while the US and Islamic Development Bank also pledged significant capital.”It went beyond what we could have hoped for … This conference marks a new chapter in the fight of civilization against terrorism,” Malian President Dioncounda Traore told a news conference.The funds will be invested into the “total relaunch” of the country, a 4.3-billion-euro initiative that includes organizing the elections for July. However, doubts have been raised over the viability of holding elections so soon given the tens of thousands of Malians displaced by the conflict and taking refuge in neighboring countries.The money will also go towards installing basic infrastructure in Mali’s north, the lack of which has undermined public support for the interim government.In spite of the ongoing presence of 1,000 French soldiers in the embattled nation, European Commission Leader Jose Manuel Barroso told press the donation “is essential to establish a Mali that is stable, democratic and prosperous.” The French government has made repeated statements during the conflict that they are close to eradicating insurgency.“We are winning this war, now we have to win back the country,” said French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Tuesday. When France originally intervened back in January, Fabius insisted the French military presence would stay for “a matter of weeks” until regional forces could take over.The French military presence has thus far served to push back Islamist militant forces advancing on the country’s capital Bamako four months after they intervened. However, pockets of resistance still remain deeply entrenched in Mali’s northern mountainous zone which they use as a base from which to launch attacks.Concerns have been voiced that a prolonged campaign against insurgency could lead to a spill-over into other African nations. Independent journalist Robert Harneis told RT that Libya would be an “ideal place” for the Malian immigrants to take refuge as it is in a “state of chaos” following NATO intervention.“They disperse, they conceal their weapons, their assets, they merge with the population and they wait because they know that sooner or later the intervention forces will go home,” said Harneis.Of the 4,500-odd French troops that were initially deployed the majority have been withdrawn, but the 1,000 that remain are expected to stay until the end of the year until regional forces are ready to take on full security responsibilities.The Malian government called on its former colonial ruler, France, to intervene in January when northern militants took control of key cities in the center of the country. Islamist extremists took control of the North African nation last year following a coup. The Islamists forced extreme Sharia law on the inhabitants of the northern territories. … Read More
French foreign minister ‘absolutely’ denies ‘rumor’ of Swiss bank account
AFP – France’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius denied a “rumor” in a newspaper report claiming that he may have a Swiss bank account, as the French government struggles to deal with a scandal over undeclared foreign bank holdings. “I absolutely deny the rumor,…
France proposes 1,000 permanent troops in Mali
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius confirmed speculation Friday that France will attempt to station 1,000 soldiers in Mali permanently. His comments, which came during a trip to Mali’s capital of Bamako, reiterated the details outlined to the United Nations weeks ago, proposing a French peace-keeping force remain in the country to combat Islamic fundamentalists. Fabius also repeated France’s intention to reduce the 4,000 military members on the ground in the African nation by the end of April. “France has proposed, to the United Nations and to the Malian government, a French support force of 1,000 men which would be permanent, based in Mali, and equipped to fight terrorism,” Fabius said during his one-day visit to Bamanko. Last week UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon proposed deploying 11,200 UN troops and a police force of 1,440 once French combat ends there. During a press conference Friday, Fabius urged Mali leaders to hold firm on the date of the presidential election, which is scheduled for July despite reported doubts from other UN countries.“The desire to hold the election by the given date is unanimous, and that date is in the month of July,” he said. “It is best that the elections are held. Our Malian partners say they want that and it is possible. The target is July and everything is being done to meet that deadline.” Reports indicate that parts of Mali remain under fundamentalist control but questions remain over France’s true intentions for the region. Before Fabius’ arrival, Moussa Sinko Coulibay, Mali’s minister in charge of organizing the election, openly questioned how the thousands of displaced Malians, who are living in refugee camps in four neighboring countries, would be able to vote. During an interview with RT earlier this week, Mohamed Hassan, a former Ethiopian diplomat, expressed concern over what France’s broader intentions could mean for the Malian people. “The French are defending their interests,” he said. “As you know, the African continent is the wealthiest continent, even though it’s inhabited by poor people… France is declining, it became the third trading partner in Africa and the US has surpassed France to become second-placed.” … Read More
Weinstein Company snaps up U.S. Yves Saint Laurent biopic rights
A French-language biopic of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent will be distributed in the US by the Weinstein Company, it said on Wednesday. Starring French actor Pierre Niney, the film will tell the story of how the 21-year-old Saint Laurent unexpectedly found himself at the helm of fashion house…
Former Ivory Coast president is well enough to stand trial
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo, who stands accused of multiple war crimes, is well enough to stand trial, judges at the International Criminal Court ruled on Friday.
Ivory Coast ex-president Gbagbo to stay in detention-ICC judges
THE HAGUE (Reuters) – Appeal judges at the International Criminal Court on Friday turned down former Ivory Coast leader Laurent Gbagbo’s request to be allowed to leave the Netherlands to await trial, saying he posed a flight risk.
