Before sending Canadian troops into harm’s way in Mali, Prime Minister Stephen Harper should consult Parliament, and let the public know what the mission involves and the risks it entails. Defence Minister Peter MacKay has been musing about deploying military trainers. But given Mali’s explosive volatility even trainers could face dangers that we should weigh before signing on.
Interim President Dioncounda Traoré presides over a weak regime that is run from the shadows by forces loyal to Capt. Amadou Haya Sanogo, who led a coup in March. Just weeks ago the military also forced out Traoré’s prime minister. That prompted the United Nations Security Council to demand that the army stop meddling.
And that’s arguably the least of Mali’s problems. In the north, Islamists linked to Al Qaeda have carved out a state, imposing a brutal version of Islamic law, destroying shrines and creating an anarchic, Afghan-like haven for foreign extremists. While the Security Council has approved an African-led military force of 3,300 troops to help Mali’s dysfunctional army of 7,000 wrest back control, the African forces have more experience in peacekeeping than waging a counter-insurgency war. So there’s a push on to deploy American, European and Canadian trainers, and to supply equipment.
Our trainers have served in Mali before. But Ottawa abruptly halted aid after the coup. It has demanded “free and fair” elections. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird recently cancelled a visit as too risky. And the African force won’t be combat-ready before September.
Before dispatching troops into a maelstrom that could become a full-blown war the government should come clean about its intentions, and more specifically about how they fit into a larger, credible international plan to restore democracy and stability.
Original Article
Source: the star
Author: editorial
Interim President Dioncounda Traoré presides over a weak regime that is run from the shadows by forces loyal to Capt. Amadou Haya Sanogo, who led a coup in March. Just weeks ago the military also forced out Traoré’s prime minister. That prompted the United Nations Security Council to demand that the army stop meddling.
And that’s arguably the least of Mali’s problems. In the north, Islamists linked to Al Qaeda have carved out a state, imposing a brutal version of Islamic law, destroying shrines and creating an anarchic, Afghan-like haven for foreign extremists. While the Security Council has approved an African-led military force of 3,300 troops to help Mali’s dysfunctional army of 7,000 wrest back control, the African forces have more experience in peacekeeping than waging a counter-insurgency war. So there’s a push on to deploy American, European and Canadian trainers, and to supply equipment.
Our trainers have served in Mali before. But Ottawa abruptly halted aid after the coup. It has demanded “free and fair” elections. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird recently cancelled a visit as too risky. And the African force won’t be combat-ready before September.
Before dispatching troops into a maelstrom that could become a full-blown war the government should come clean about its intentions, and more specifically about how they fit into a larger, credible international plan to restore democracy and stability.
Original Article
Source: the star
Author: editorial
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