Water als bondgenoot

In de roman Koude Oorlog aan de IJssel worden feit en fictie over de geheime militaire waterbarrière, bedoeld ter bescherming tegen de Russen, vermengd. De auteurs spelen met de ontstane verwarring.

De Nederlandse waterbouwkundig ingenieur Pieter Kottier is begin jaren ’50 werkzaam aan het geheime militaire project de IJssellinie, bedoeld als waterbarrière tegen Russische tanks. Hij wordt vanwege dat werk door de Russische Klazina Borisovna Makarova op afstand ingepalmd, die verre familie van hem blijkt te zijn. Een voorvader van Kottier emigreerde een eeuw eerder vanuit Drenthe naar Sint-Petersburg.

Tussen Kottier en Makarova ontstaat een hartstochtelijke briefwisseling. Feitelijk is het niet de vrouw, maar de majoor en psycholoog A.S. Parchomov van de Russische Militaire Inlichtingendienst die de overtuigende liefdesbrieven heeft opgesteld. Op deze manier komen de Russen het nodige te weten over de aanleg van de IJssellinie. Uiteindelijk ontmoet Kottier zijn vriendin Klazina ook echt.

Waterbarrière

Nederland heeft een lange ervaring met het inzetten van water om de vijand tegen te houden. In het boek wordt die trots en passant wat genuanceerd door te verwijzen naar de Griek Xenophon die vier eeuwen voor onze jaartelling al schreef dat de Perzen het water gebruikten in hun strijd tegen de Grieken.

In het tv-programma Water als Wapen werd de Nederlandse militaire geschiedenis van inundatie, het opzettelijk onderwater zetten van een gebied, onlangs nog samengevat. De Geuzen gebruikten het middel regelmatig tegen de Spanjaarden. Holland werd vanaf de 17e eeuw verdedigd door een waterlinie en delen van Zeeland werden in de Tweede Wereldoorlog door de geallieerden onder water gezet in de strijd tegen de Duitsers. De Rijn-IJssellinie (verder IJssellinie genoemd) was het laatste militaire inundatie-project. Die linie was niet mis. ‘Oost-Nederland werd prijsgegeven’, schreef Frans Peeters in mei 1994 in Het Parool. Journalist André Horlings verwoordde het in de Apeldoornse Courant in 1997 als volgt: ‘Wanneer de Russen tussen 1952 en 1958 écht waren gekomen, dan zouden de Neder-Rijn bij Arnhem en de Waal bij Nijmegen in één klap zijn afgesloten. Al het Rijnwater zou via het stroomgebied van de IJssel worden afgeleid. Met behulp van nog een afdamming bij Olst en zo’n 150 militaire en waterstaatkundige objecten – inlaten, bunkers, oude opgelapte vestingwerken enz. – was daardoor tussen Nijmegen en Kampen een zo groot mogelijke overstroming veroorzaakt.’

(…) ‘De gevolgen zouden catastrofaal zijn geweest’, zo vervolgt Horlings. ‘Vijf procent van de Nederlandse bevolking – naar schatting 200.000 mensen – en hun vee had, totaal onverwacht en op stel en sprong, moeten evacueren; bewoners van de westelijke IJsseloever naar het westen en hun buren aan de overkant naar het oosten van het land, richting oprukkende Russen. Ze wisten van niets. Hun huizen, fabrieken en infrastructuur waren aan het water prijs gegeven. Als gevolg van het droogvallen van Waal en Rijn dreigde in het Westen verzilting van de bodem, omdat zeewater dieper het land zou binnendringen.’

Samenstelling

Hoewel de IJssellinie in de jaren ’50 is aangelegd, werd de Nederlandse bevolking pas in 1990 bekend met het bestaan ervan. De Russen zouden er echter sinds de dag dat de eerste schop de grond in ging al vanaf geweten hebben. In Koude Oorlog aan de IJsselreconstrueren A.L. Snijders en Erik Harteveld de wijze waarop de Russen zich die kennis eigen zouden hebben weten te maken. Het eerste deel van de roman bevat een ouderwetse briefwisseling tussen psycholoog Parchomov (uit naam van Klazina Borisovna) en ingenieur Pieter Kottier. De brieven treffen doel. Het duurt niet lang voordat de 29-jarige Pieter (die nog maagd is) op afstand helemaal verknocht raakt aan ‘Klasja’, zoals hij zijn Russische verovering al snel liefkozend noemt. Dit eerste deel is door Harteveld (1955) geschreven. De auteur heeft Russisch gestudeerd om vervolgens inlichtingendienst officier bij het Nederlandse leger te worden. Verder bevat dit boekdeel gespreksverslagen tussen Parchomov en zijn meerdere bij de inlichtingendienst, de nukkige kolonel Y.L. Chomenko.

Het tweede deel (een kwart van het boek) bestaat uit e-mails die Snijders (1937) aan Harteveld heeft opgesteld in de periode maart-november 2013. Snijders was voorheen columnist voor Het Parool en is bekend geworden met zijn zeer korte verhalen. Hij won de Constantijn Huygens-prijs voor het oeuvre. Je mag dan ook concluderen dat beide schrijvers geknipt zijn voor dit boek. In hun onderlinge mailverkeer komen flarden uit deel een terug. Er worden nieuwe thesen opgeworpen, bijna alsof het losstaande korte verhaaltjes betreft.

De inbreng van vormgever Martien Frijns is belangrijk. Papierkeuze, lettertypen, kaarten en andere illustraties maken het een bijzonder boek, geven het gewicht al voordat je begint te lezen. Het kartonkleurige papier ziet er goedkoop uit, waardoor de inhoud feitelijker lijkt dan het is. De brieven van Kottier en Klasja, alsmede de verslagen van de inlichtingendienst, zijn gedrukt met verschillende lettertypen. Dat valt nauwelijks op, maar het maakt wel degelijk verschil.

In het tweede deel van het boek zijn het de sfeervol in rood afgedrukte foto’s van de IJssellinie-rekwisieten die het boek kleur en cachet geven. De vormgeving houdt niet op bij het papier. Op internet is in het kader van de boekpresentatie een video te zien waarin majoor Parchomov (Harteveld) de kijker oproept te gaan spioneren.

Fictie en  

non-fictie

Chomenko en Parchomov hadden volgens de auteurs haast met het verkrijgen van informatie over de IJssellinie. De suggestie wordt herhaaldelijk gewekt dat Stalin Nederland wilde binnenrollen met zijn tanks. De militaire leiding van Rusland wilde daarom weten hoe lang het zou duren voordat de polder vol met water gestroomd zou zijn en hoe diep het dan was. Door de dood van de tiran zou deze Sovjet-invasie zijn afgewend. Dat zuigt Harteveld uit zijn duim. Zo bevat het boek toch nog een beetje echte Koude Oorlog retoriek.

Bovendien wordt in het algemeen aangenomen dat deze geheime informatie over de waterlinie anders door de Russen werd verworven dan in het boek wordt omschreven. Oud-medewerkers van de Russische geheime dienst hebben enkele jaren geleden een rondleiding gekregen in het bunkercomplex bij Olst, dat onderdeel uitmaakte van de IJssellinie. Ze lachten zich daarbij suf, want ze bleken al in een vroegtijdig stadium exact op de hoogte te zijn geweest van de Nederlandse militaire plannen.

De Nederlandse kapitein A. Wyczynski, docent aan de School voor de Militaire Inlichtingendienst in Ede, meldde in 2003 dat men er in Nederland steeds vanuit is gegaan dat de Russen wel eens op de hoogte konden zijn geweest van het bestaan van de IJssellinie. “Al vanaf het begin van de Koude Oorlog stuurde Rusland spionnen naar ons land. Vaak waren dat bijrijders van Russische vrachtwagens. Zonder uitzondering waren dat mensen van de KGB. Onder het mom dat ze verdwaald waren, zag je die vrachtwagens vaak bij bruggen en andere gevoelige plekken”, zo tekende regionaal dagblad De Stentor op.

Fantasie in romanvorm, daar is natuurlijk niets mis mee. De auteurs en de vormgeving van het boek echter wekken de schijn dat het hier gaat om een waar gebeurd verhaal. Dat betekent dat ze geslaagd zijn in hun missie, maar je moet als lezer tegelijk de neiging onderdrukken het als non-fictie te beschouwen. Blijkbaar zijn er meer die daar last van hebben. ‘De uitgever hecht er niettemin aan te benadrukken dat Koude Oorlog aan de IJssel een werk van fictie is’, zo vermeldt AfdH Uitgevers achterin het boek. De auteurs spelen met de ontstane verwarring bij de lezer. Zo wordt een zin uit het eerste deel van de roman in een mailbericht uit het tweede deel letterlijk geciteerd vanuit een roman die weliswaar genoemd wordt, maar op dat moment nog niet gepubliceerd is. Harteveld en Snijders werkten toch samen aan deze ‘roman in brieven’? Maar dat principe wordt ineens op losse schroeven gezet. Het is bijna alsof Harteveld zijn briefroman in conceptvorm aan Snijders heeft voorgelegd, waarna Snijders in een serie mails associeert op de tekst van Harteveld. Maar is het dan nog wel een gezamenlijk geschreven roman?

En zou een ingenieur als Kottier zich echt hebben laten verleiden tot het uitwisselen van uiterst geheime informatie over een militair project, waar de Nederlandse bevolking veertig jaar lang geen benul van heeft gehad, nota bene aan een Russische via een zestien maanden durende briefwisseling? Zou een Nederlandse inlichtingendienst daar dan niet vanaf hebben geweten? Dat lijkt mij onwaarschijnlijk. Harteveld neemt hiermee toch niet zijn voormalig werkgever, de Militaire Inlichtingendienst, op de hak?

Nauwkeurig lezen

De bijdrage van Harteveld levert hier en daar een soort simplisme en op geilheid gerichte woordspelingen op waar je niet vrolijk van wordt. Maar er is ook wel degelijk sprake van verfijndheid. ‘”U bent een betere lezer dan Kottier, maar weet u ook waarom?”, vraagt Parchomov aan Chomenko. “Omdat ik slimmer ben”, antwoordt hij. “En ingewijd, voornamelijk omdat u ingewijd bent in het grotere verband.”‘ Hiermee zet Parchomov zijn meerdere voorzichtig op zijn plaats, terwijl hij tegelijkertijd aangeeft dat feiten zonder context weinig betekenen. Nauwkeurig lezen is een thema dat bij Harteveld steeds terugkomt.

De bijdrage van Snijders, een uitwisseling van mailbrieven met Harteveld, kent meer diepgang. De mooiere zinnen van Harteveld komen erin terug. Ook wordt in de mails afstand genomen van het idee dat een gearrangeerde romance informatie opleverde die Stalin nodig had voor zijn aanval op Nederland. Er komt ook kritiek op het waterlinieproject in naar voren: ‘We proberen een onstuitbare vijand een minuut tegen te houden. Het is een symbolische actie, maar de ramp is realiteit.’ Hiermee wordt de minachting van de krijgsmacht voor de Nederlandse bevolking afgeserveerd. ‘Wat geloofd wordt, is waar.’ Op het Ministerie van Oorlog wisten ze dat het niet zou werken, zo lezen we.

Indien de IJssellinie daadwerkelijk een zinloos symbolisch project is geweest, dan maakt dat de financiële uitgaven ervoor – 100 miljoen gulden, omgerekend in huidige valuta zo’n miljard euro – des te schrijnender. Het plan kwam uit de koker van kapitein J.C.E. Haex. Haex is tot twee keer toe staatssecretaris van Defensie geweest en bereikte de hoogst mogelijke militaire rang van luitenant-generaal. In 1964 heeft Haex de linie zelf weer afgeschaft. In 2002, kort voor zijn dood, vertelde de voormalig staatssecretaris dat de Russen dankzij de IJssellinie “wel degelijk, degelijk” zouden hebben afgezien van hun snode plannen op te rukken naar Rotterdam. Wat is erger? Voor gek gehouden worden, of iemand die in zijn eigen gekkigheid gelooft als luitenant-generaal en staatssecretaris.

Tenslotte nog de vraag waarom het al die tijd werd gepikt dat een deel van Nederland onder water zou worden gezet met catastrofale gevolgen voor de eigen bevolking. Er lekte destijds wel eens iets van het plan uit, maar toen KVP-leider Romme er in 1953 in de Tweede Kamer naar vroeg, werd het glashard ontkend door de minister van Oorlog. Hans de Bruijn in bouwblad Cobouw: “Het ging om inundatie van een strook van 5 tot 10 kilometer breed. De bevolking kreeg te horen dat het een noodbruggen- en pontonplan betrof voor een eventuele oorlogssituatie. In 1953 geloofden burgers dat, ze stelden nog vertrouwen in de overheid.” Ook in het boek komt die goedgelovige burger aan de orde, en dat tegenwoordig ‘onderdanen achterdochtiger en feller zijn, regeren is moeilijker geworden.’ Dat klinkt optimistisch. De Commissie Davids, die onderzoek deed naar de Nederlandse deelname aan de oorlog in Irak, liet weliswaar geen veertig jaar op zich wachten, maar ondanks heel veel druk nog steeds jarenlang. En de NSA-schotels in Burum kwamen pas in 2013 naar buiten en worden niet in het rapport van Davids vermeld.

De mails bevatten nóg een positieve noot: ‘Ik realiseerde me dat ik een voorstander ben van oorlogen die niet doorgaan.’ Nu nog wat minder voorbereiding op oorlog, want ook die leidt tot slachtoffers. En we moeten niet vergeten dat de Derde Wereld zijn portie ‘Koude Oorlog’ ruimschoots heeft gehad. De oorlog brak weliswaar niet uit aan de IJssel, maar in Azië, Afrika en Zuid-Amerika. Koude Oorlog aan de IJssel is romantiek met een ranzig randje, opgeschreven in een prachtig verzorgd en lekker leesbaar boek dat het Oost-West-conflict doet herleven.

Martin Broek
redactie Alex van Veen, Ravage Webzine

titel Koude Oorlog aan de IJssel; Roman in brieven
auteurs  A.L. Snijders; Erik Harteveld
uitgever  AfdH, 2013
uitgave  gebonden, volledig in kleur, rijk geïllustreerd, 192 pagina’s
isbn  9789072603340
prijs  € 24,50

Flintlock 2014

A member of the Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) oversees a Malian fire team while conducting counter-terrorism operations in an urban terrain environment during Flintlock 10 in Theis, Senegal. The MARSOC are specialized Marines conducting special missions in unique areas, focused on capacity development under the auspices of the Trans-Saharan Counter-Terrorism Partnership. Flintlock 10 is a special operations forces exercise focused on military interoperability and capacity-building and is part of an AFRICOM-sponsored annual exercise program with partner nations in Northern and Western Africa. The exercise, which includes participation of key European nations, is conducted by Special Operations Command Africa and designed to build relationships and develop capacity among security forces throughout the Trans-Saharan region of Africa. Approximately 1,200 European, African Partner Nation and U.S. personnel from 14 nations are involved in military interoperability activities across the Trans-Saharan region during this event. (DoD photo by Max Blumenfeld/Released) Source

Flintlock is an annual counter operation and exercise organised by Africom in Northwest Africa with Dutch participation. This blog serves as a collection of media reports writing about Flintlock. (The name comes from a firearm-ignition mechanism). GlobalSecurity on the history of Flintlock. and Facebook. See Also: Flintlock 2013 (untill 14 Nov 2013)

Perconferentie Niger voor Flintlock 2014, http://lesahel.org/

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June 1
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Will Hartley, Together: Multilateral counter-terrorism exercises, Jane's Intelligence Review, June 2014, pp 14-17.
Multilateral exercises involving Western militaries and those from developing countries in Asia and Africa have increased in the last two decades. Hartley examines how these help respond to ‘new’ security threats, particularly terrorism.

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16 May
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Joeva Rock, OP-ED: MilitarisedHumanitarianism in Africa, May 16 2014 (IPS)

(...) Rather than the “shock and awe” of Iraq, the military has attempted to put a friendly face on its expedition to Africa. This past March, writing in the New York Times, Eric Schmitt marveled at AFRICOM’s Operation Flintlock, a multinational and multiagency training operation in Niger.
Schmitt wrote glowingly about fighting terrorism with mosquito nets: “Instead of launching American airstrikes or commando raids on militants,” he wrote, “the latest joint mission between the nations involves something else entirely: American boxes of donated vitamins, prenatal medicines, and mosquito netting to combat malaria.”
Humanitarian and development missions like the ones outlined in Schmitt’s article are at the forefront of AFRICOM’s public relations campaign. But promoting AFRICOM as a humanitarian outfit is misleading at best.
To put it simply, these projects are more like a Trojan Horse: dressed up as gifts, they establish points of entry on the continent when and where they may be needed.(...)

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19 March
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(...) Coordination between authorities in Niger and Nigeria, meanwhile, has been hampered by poor communication. With cellphone networks unreliable, officials were forced to communicate by letters that can take three days to get between Niger and Maiduguri, according to a confidential 'early warning report' obtained by Reuters.
The document, compiled by officials from the United Nations and West African bloc ECOWAS who visited Diffa late last year, warned that Boko Haram's presence was "a serious threat that will require increased attention".
Some Western nations seem to agree. It was no coincidence that Diffa was chosen this year to host an annual U.S.-sponsored military exercise, Flintlock - though concerns over security prompted foreign troops to restrict their movements.(...)

David Lewis, INSIGHT-Niger fears contagion from Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists, Reuters, March 19, 2014

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14 March
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With training and partnerships, US military treads lightly in Africa, The Peninsula, March 14, 2014

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/views/political-views/276015/with-training-and-partnerships-us-military-treads-lightly-in-africa

By David Lewis On a dusty training ground in Niger, US Special Forces teach local troops to deal with suspects who resist arrest. "Speed, aggression, surprise!" an instructor barks as two Nigeriens wrestle a US adviser out of a car.
The drill in the border town of Diffa is part of Exercise Flintlock, a counter-terrorism exercise for nations on the Sahara's southern flanks that the United States organises each year. Washington's aim is to tackle Islamist militants in the Sahel region while keeping its military presence in Africa light.
A growing number of European nations taking part shows their increasing concern about security in West Africa. Central to the international effort is a blossoming relationship between the United States and France, the former colonial power and traditional "policeman" of the turbulent region.
When Paris deployed 4,000 troops to fight Islamist militants in neighbouring Mali last year, the US military lent a hand by airlifting French soldiers and equipment, providing intelligence and training African forces to join the operation.
French troops are stretched by hunting the militants in Mali and tackling religious violence in Central African Republic, so only a handful participated in Flintlock. Nevertheless, they welcomed their new partnership with Washington.
"The Americans want to get involved in Africa. That's good for us. We know that with the Americans it will be more efficient," said a French Special Forces officer, who asked not to be named. "We use American logistics - that's what we are missing. On the other hand, we provide the local knowledge." The United States fast-tracked the sale of 12 Reaper drones to France last year, the first two of which started operating in Niger in January alongside US drones already there.
In a reminder of the partnership, a drone quietly taxied past troops and dignitaries at Flintlock's closing ceremony in the capital of Niamey before taking off to scour the Sahara.
Military experts say direct US military action in Africa is limited to short raids on "high-value" targets in places such as Somalia and Libya, while French troops take on longer, bigger operations.
J Peter Pham, director of the Africa Center at the US-based Atlantic Council, said this arrangement suited US military planners who face budget cuts and a diminished American appetite for combat after conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
However, he warned that the French military was at the limit of its ability to strike militants hard. "If the French are not able to provide that blunt instrument, is the US willing to do so?" Nine years after the Flintlock exercises began, the enemy has evolved from a group of Algerian-dominated fighters focused on northern Mali and now threatens nations across the Sahara and the arid Sahel belt to the south.
For most of 2012, militants occupied northern Mali, a desert zone the size of France. Scattered by a French offensive last year, many are believed to be regrouping in southern Libya.
Hundreds of people are being killed every month in clashes with Boko Haram militants in northern Nigeria. Many in Niger fear this conflict could spill over the border and the government in Niamey has appealed for more military support.
"Instability in neighbouring states has given everybody a new incentive," General James Linder, commander of US Special Operations Command Africa, told Reuters while visiting Niger This year's three-week Flintlock exercise - involving over 1,000 troops from 18 nations - was the biggest yet and runs alongside more permanent training by US Special Forces in Niger, Mauritania, Senegal and Chad.
Training in Diffa, only a few kilometres from where Boko Haram militants are fighting the Nigerian army across the border, ranged from basic patrolling skills and setting up checkpoints to sharing intelligence and providing medical care.
In a region where armies often lack basics such as ammunition for target practice and fuel for vehicles, the quality and tempo of the US-sponsored exercise eclipses the training most soldiers in the region receive in a year.
Colonel Mounkaila Sofiani, the local Niger commander, said Flintlock and other US initiatives helped his country to tackle threats from the west, north and south better. "Little by little people are being trained," he said. "Once there are enough, they'll form the spine of a reliable force." Training is meant to build up coordination between armies but Sofiani said just finding radio equipment compatible between nations is difficult. In the field, officers exchange mobile phone numbers to bypass blockages in official channels.
A lack of trust between governments also hinders responses. At a recent meeting of intelligence chiefs, the Nigerien and Libyan representatives argued over the risk of instability spreading from Libya's lawless south, a diplomat told Reuters.
Coups in Mauritania, Niger and Mali since the Flintlock exercises began also halted cooperation until civilian rule was restored. Mali's 2012 coup, led by a captain with US training, opened the door to the Islamist takeover of the north, prompting questions about what the years of exercises had achieved.
Pham said better military capabilities had not been matched by improvements in governance, citing a failure by Mali to tackle corruption. REUTERS Chad's military, however, has won praise for leading the charge alongside French troops in flushing out the militants from Mali's desolate northern mountains. U.S. officials stress the exercise is African-led and are wary about people reading too much into U.S. troops being on the ground near African conflicts. But the show of foreign support is popular in Diffa. "It sends a message to Boko Haram and others," said Inoussa Saouna, the central government's representative in Diffa. "Before Mali, we thought terrorism was a problem for whites but now we've experienced it ourselves."

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11 March
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(...)

"The problems of the Sahel are not restricted to Africa, but concern the whole world," France's defence and national security chief Francis Delon said. Mauritanian analyst Abu Bakr noted, however, that it was difficult for Sahel countries "to cope with security risks individually".

One solution is through enhanced security partnerships, he suggested.

"Because they are sponsored by the armies of the biggest countries in the world," joint military exercises such as Flintlock "enhance the capabilities of Sahel defence forces and support them against any potential terrorist threat", he added.

North Africa; Maghreb Jihadists Killed in Mali Airstrike, Magharebia (Washington DC), March 11, 2014 

AFRICOM GO HOME, Bases étrangères hors d’Afrique est un film document dans le cadre du cinquantenaire des «indépendances» africaines, (OUA 1963 -2013). - See more at: http://www.afrokanlife.com/politique/africom-go-home-un-documentaire-du-professeur-aziz-fall/#sthash.GNusKD90.dpuf

AFRICOM GO HOME, Bases étrangères hors d’Afrique est un film document dans le cadre du cinquantenaire des «indépendances» africaines, (OUA 1963 -2013). - See more at: http://www.afrokanlife.com/politique/africom-go-home-un-documentaire-du-professeur-aziz-fall/#sthash.GNusKD90.dpuf

AFRICOM GO HOME, Bases étrangères hors d’Afrique est un film document dans le cadre du cinquantenaire des «indépendances» africaines, (OUA 1963 -2013). - See more at: http://www.afrokanlife.com/politique/africom-go-home-un-documentaire-du-professeur-aziz-fall/#sthash.aaJLS3qK.dpuf

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6 March
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(…) The American strategy in Africa also hinges on European partners. In January, France began to reorganize its 3,000 troops in the Sahel region - a vast area on the southern flank of the Sahara that stretches from Senegal to Chad - to carry out counterterrorism operations more effectively, officials said. France will concentrate its air power in Chad, its new reconnaissance drones in Niger, its special operations troops in Burkina Faso and its logistics hub in Ivory Coast.

Against this backdrop, the United States Africa Command is running an annual exercise conducted since 2005 called Flintlock. This year, about 600 African troops and 500 Western trainers and support personnel, including about 300 Americans, participated here and in two cities in central Niger, Agadez and Tahoua.

In temperatures often soaring above 100 degrees, African troops in groups of up to 40 teamed up with advisers from the United States or European allies like Italy, France, Britain and Norway. They practiced marksmanship, patrolling harsh desert terrain and conducting checkpoints against suspicious vehicles.

The daily training has also revealed barriers that extremists could exploit.

Simple communications are often challenging. A Norwegian trainer's explanation of patrolling tactics in English had to be translated into French and then again by another interpreter into Hausa, a language spoken by many of Niger's troops. Any questions started the time-consuming linguistic chain in reverse.

In his office near the exercise, Col. Mounkaila Sofiani, the regional commander of Niger's forces here, who has trained in Morocco and Senegal, and at Fort Benning, Ga., acknowledged the threat from Boko Haram, but insisted his military did not need a permanent American troop presence.

''If our troops are well trained,'' he said, ''we can handle these situations ourselves.''

Eric Schmitt, 'U.S. takes trainingrole in Africa as threats grow; With budgets tight, focus is onadvising troops and enlisting region's allies,' International New York Times, March 6, 2014.

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4 March
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3 March

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Niger Army Trains on Air Resupply during Flintlock 2014

By Maj. Will Cambardella

Joint Special Operations Task Force-Trans Sahara Command Public Affairs

AGADEZ, Niger - Canadian Special Operations Regiment shows Sergeant Sawani Anza Adamou, 22nd Battalion, how an inclinometer is used to determine wind speeds during air resupply drop operation in Niger as part of Exercise FLINTLOCK 2014. 

African-led Exercise Flintlock Kicks off in Niger 

AGADEZ, Niger , Mar 3, 2014 — The Niger Army’s 22nd Battalion trained with American, Canadian and Spanish troops supporting Flintlock 2014 on necessary learning objectives for a successful airborne supply delivery here, Feb. 21.

The Niger Armed Forces, otherwise known as the Forces Armées Nigeriennes, or FAN, are receiving instruction via “train-the-trainer” techniques to be able to teach other troops following the three-week exercise. The intent of this training is to enable the Nigerien Forces to resupply themselves, said one Canadian Joint Terminal Attack Controller. “Force projecting allows them to forward-stage in order to interdict AQIM [Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb] movement.”

Morning training commenced with an overview block of instruction in French on Landing Zone and Drop Zone (DZ) markings, as well as terrain feature recognition. Next, the follow-on instructor disseminated inclinometers to the troops, encouraging the students to demonstrate they understood the equipment well enough to instruct it to others, specifically in orientation and cardinal direction.

The 22nd Battalion’s Sgt. Chef Boubacan Tinga provided DZ formulas during the class, “The drop zone needs to be at least 500 meters in length,” explained Sgt. Chef Tinga. Tinga further illustrated the difference in multiplication tables for paratroopers versus bundles.

The Spanish instructors provided a block of instruction on infiltration/exfiltration techniques to include safety, security, staging and appropriate communication during day and night operations. Special Air Force Operator, 1st Lt. Alfonso provided instruction on using a signal mirror during the day to reflect light and placement of vehicles at night to harness light from headlights. He also emphasized the importance of determining wind speed, strain and direction. 

“Always tell the pilot where the wind is coming from,” said Alfonso. “The more powerful, the more the pilot needs the wind direction—every helo lands facing the wind.”

The troops then proceeded to set up the DZ at the point of impact with red marking panels. Then a C-130 crew air dropped a bundle on flat hard terrain—as instructed.

“This is good training for these guys,” said the Air Liaison Officer, Lt. Col Chris . “They now have a new capability in their toolkit that will help them help themselves in the future.”

The Flintlock exercise is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff directed, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) sponsored, Joint Special Operations Task Force-Trans Sahara conducted Special Operations Forces (SOF) exercise, beginning Feb. 19 and going through March 9, throughout several locations in Niger.

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1 March
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Militaires marocains et algériens côte à côte au Niger

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Fort de ses succès diplomatiques au Mali, le Maroc passe au niveau supérieur. Le royaume cherche à jouer un rôle dans la sécurisation de la région du Sahel. La participation aux manœuvres militaires de « Flintlock 2014 », qui se déroulent au Niger, sous commandement américain, constitue d'ailleurs, un premier pas. Les Algériens y sont également présents.

Le Maroc tient à renforcer sa présence au Sahel. Du 26 février jusqu’au 9 mars, des membres des Forces armées royales (FAR) participent à la 9ème édition des « Flintlock ». Ce sont des exercices militaires, organisées au Niger par l’Africom, qui connaissent la participation d’environ un millier de soldats en provenance de vingt pays africains, européens et américains (Canada et Etats-Unis).

De la diplomatie à l’action militaire

Le royaume prend part à ces manœuvres en sa qualité de membre à part entière alors que durant les opérations qui se sont déroulés en 2013 dans le territoire mauritanien, il avait le titre de pays observateur. Une « promotion » qui atteste, si besoin est, du succès de la nouvelle politique du Maroc dans le Sahel.
Une région est devenue hautement stratégique pour Rabat. La crise malienne a offert aux officiels marocains une réelle opportunité de revenir en Afrique. Depuis, ils n’ont cessé de gagner du terrain. Le « Flintlock 2014 » leur permet donc de passer de la diplomatie et la logistique à l’action militaire.

Marocains et Algériens côte à côte au Niger

L’objectif principal de ces opérations demeure l’amélioration des capacités des militaires dans leur lutte contre les groupes terroristes et le crime organisé, bien établis dans toute la région sahélienne.
Le « Flintlock » de cette année a permis aux militaires marocains de côtoyer leurs homologues algériens sur le même terrain de guerre mais sous commandement américain. Sachant que les deux pays sont en concurrence déclarée pour asseoir leurs influences au Sahel.
Ce n’est d’ailleurs pas la première fois que des militaires des deux Etats voisins participent à des exercices sous commandement américaine ou de l’Alliance atlantique (OTAN). A titre d’exemple, le Maroc et l’Algérie répondent toujours présents aux manœuvres navales « Phoenix express », organisées depuis huit ans par la marine US, dans les eaux de la Méditerranée.

yabiladi

Exercices "Flintlock 2014"Sam 1 Mar 2014 – 15:34, http://far-maroc.forumpro.fr/t3819-exercices-flintlock-2014

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28 Feb
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Militairen oefenen in Afrikaans klimaat

Zo’n 45 man Special Forces van het Korps Commandotroepen en het Korps Mariniers zijn in Afrika voor de Amerikaanse oefening Flintlock 2014. De militairen trainen samen met eenheden uit Senegal en Burkina Faso en met Amerikaanse en Europese collega’s. Kennis verkrijgen van en ervaring opdoen met opereren in het Afrikaanse klimaat en terrein staan centraal.

Aan de oefening doen bijna duizend militairen uit veertien landen mee. Met de Afrikaanse partners oefenen de Nederlanders allerlei militaire vaardigheden, zoals patrouilleren, verkennen, navigeren en het inrichten van controleposten. Nederland doet voor de zevende keer mee aan Flintlock. De oefening duurt tot 9 maart.

http://magazines.defensie.nl/defensiekrant/2014/04/kort

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24 Feb.
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During the ceremony the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Trans Sahel Commander Col. Kenneth Sipperly, who is the Flintlock 2014 exercise coordinator, said, “Although Flintlock is considered an exercise, it is really an extension of ongoing training, engagement, and operations that help prepare our close Africa partners in the fight against extremism and the enemies that threaten peace, stability, and regional security.”

NIAMEY, Niger, Feb 24, 2014 — Flintlock, the annual African-led military exercise for interoperability in security, counterterrorism and humanitarian aid, officially kicked off today with an opening ceremony celebrating the spirit of cooperation.

The exercise, which beyond U.S. participation includes Burkina Faso, Canada, Chad, France, Germany, Mauritania, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Senegal, United Kingdom, and the host nation of Niger, focuses on building partner capacity to help strengthen stability across Africa. This year, there are 18 different African and Western country participants.

For the next three weeks, more than a 1,000 different soldiers from across these countries will practice military drills such as airdrops of personnel or equipment, live fire ranges, and delivering aid to remote areas with limited medical care.

While not focused on any particular operation or security situation, Flintlock 2014 focuses on the development of the mutual security capacity while strengthening bonds among exercise participants, according to officials.

“Your presence reflects your interests in our regional partnerships,” said Nigerian Col. Mahamane Laminou Sani, the Flintlock country coordinator. “By sharing their experiences, expertise, and camaraderie we share our interests in promoting stability in the region.”

Some of the major tactical components of Flintlock 2014 include small-unit combined training activities against counter-terrorism, along with humanitarian relief operations providing basic medical, dental, and veterinary access for select communities in Niger.

The host nation led the development of the exercises’ training objectives to help build relationships between participating nations.

U.S. leadership attended the ceremony along with their counterparts and they said they agree that security is necessary for growth and stability. Special Operations Command Africa Commanding General Brig. Gen. James Linder joined African nation partners for opening ceremony activities.

During the ceremony the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Trans Sahel Commander Col. Kenneth Sipperly, who is the Flintlock 2014 exercise coordinator, said, “Although Flintlock is considered an exercise, it is really an extension of ongoing training, engagement, and operations that help prepare our close Africa partners in the fight against extremism and the enemies that threaten peace, stability, and regional security.”

“Working together to guard against the effects of extremism will be realized by the future generations of all our countries,” he said.

The Nigerian Chief of Staff M. Karidio Mahamadou agreed, adding that, “This exercise is occurring at a time when our nations are faced with multiple obstacles within our region which requires strong resolve to confront extremism.”

Flintlock exercises have been conducted across north and western Africa since 2005 to improve the security capacity of regional military forces.

Follow and share your comments on Facebook and Twitter at #Flintlock2014

Scott Nielsen, African-led Exercise Flintlock Kicks off in Niger, U.S. AFRICOM Public Affairs February 24, 2014.

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23 Feb.
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Up to 1,000 soldiers and army officials from 18 African countries began a joint military training exercise in Niger against terrorism in the Sahel region.

The joint military exercise dubbed "Flintlock" is being conducted in Niger's Agadez, Diffa and Tahoua regions between Feb. 20 and March 9.

The "Flintlock" exercise was initiated in 2005 with the objective of developing capacities of defense and security forces and promoting inter-state collaborations to protect the people of Sahel countries.

At the opening of the training session, Nigerien army chief Seini Garba hailed the holding of the Flintlock training to promote security in the Sahel region, a belt along the southern edge of the Sahara desert being made a haven for terrorism and cross-border crimes.

Gen. Garba said Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou had reaffirmed his support for the program to promote strategic partnerships and information sharing among the different armies.

The "Flintlock 2014" training program is being coordinated by the U.S. military and Nigerien Col. Lamine Mahamane.

The military training began just after the third council meeting of foreign ministers held in Niamey to discuss cooperation in war against terrorism and an African Peace and Security Architecture in the Sahel-Saharan region.
18 Nations In Joint Anti-Terrorism Exercise, Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Beijing), February 23, 2014

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20 Feb.
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The war game reflects the Pentagon’s increasing preference for light, secretive Special Operations Forces in the ongoing international campaign against terrorists and other “irregular” threats.

Joe Trevithick, America Is in Niger to Help Train Commandos From 18 Countries

Flintlock exercise is evidence of growing Special Ops war in Africa, War is Boring, February 20, 2014.

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Foreign ministers from the Sahel and West Africa met in Niamey on Wednesday (February 19th) to hammer out a response to terrorism and organised crime across the region.

The gathering included top diplomats from Algeria, Mauritania, Libya and others in the Fusion and Liaison Unit (UFL), who met with their counterparts from Senegal, Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire.

The ministers discussed the political and security situation in the Sahel-Sahara region, closer security co-operation and the implementation of the African Peace and Security architecture. They were joined by intelligence and security chiefs from their respective countries and representatives of the African Union and ECOWAS.

"The recent events in Gao in Mali involving the kidnapping of an ICRC team, for which MUJAO has claimed responsibility, clearly show how fragile the security situation in our region is and illustrate the urgent need for closer co-operation between the relevant actors," Nigerien Foreign Minister Mohamed Bazoum said in his opening speech.

Bazoum added: "Niger is suffering the collateral fallout of the Libyan and Malian crises, and at a very early stage it began seeking ways of safeguarding its extra-community borders through a partnership guaranteeing human rights and the free movement of people."

In his view, "the political and security situation in Libya is still characterised by rather worrying tensions. We must think about it so that we can help to start a new trend."

During a speech about the counter-terrorism strategy devised by his institution, ECOWAS Commission Chairman Kadré Désiré Ouedraogo underlined that: "This strategy is based on three main pillars, namely prevention, suppression and rebuilding."

"There is no doubt that if they are well co-ordinated, the strategies initiated by various organisations should make a significant contribution to socio-economic development and stability in the Sahel region, in accordance with the principles of democracy, good governance and the rule of law, so as to prevent new crises in the future," he said.

For his part, Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra highlighted the close co-ordination between his country and Niger.

"We also know the determination of Niger, which is shared with Algeria, with regard to everything that concerns the battle against terrorism and organised cross-border crime," Lamamra told the press on the side-lines of this third ministerial meeting of the member states of the African Union's "Nouakchott Process" to build Sahel stability.

He also said that the contributions made by Algeria and Mauritania "consisted of making their own borders secure and ensuring that terrorist and criminal groups have nowhere to retreat to within the two countries".

"In the face of the threat on our borders, the Nouakchott Process must maintain a more sustained pace and innovate continually to adapt to the changes on the ground," said Smail Chergui, the African Union's commissioner for peace and security.

Chergui added: "Building intelligence and security capabilities in the Sahel-Sahara region is more than necessary to deal with the terrorist threat. This means that the strategies identified must be strengthened to tackle this scourge." 

Niger Hosts Sahel Security Summit, Magharebia (Washington DC), February 20, 2014

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19 Feb.

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Zo’n 45 militairen van het Korps Commandotroepen en de special forces (NLMARSOF) van het Korps Mariniers zijn in Afrika voor de Amerikaanse oefening Flintlock 2014. De militairen trainen samen met Afrikaanse eenheden uit Senegal en Burkina Faso en met Amerikaanse en Europese collega’s. Het opdoen van kennis van en ervaring met het optreden in het Afrikaanse klimaat en terrein staan centraal.     

Aan de oefening doen bijna 1000 militairen uit zo’n 14 verschillende landen mee. Met de Afrikaanse partners wordt geoefend in militaire vaardigheden zoals patrouilleren, verkennen, navigeren en het inrichten van controleposten. Nederland doet voor de zevende keer mee aan Flintlock.
De luchtmacht zet een Hercules C-130 transportvliegtuig in voor de logistieke ondersteuning van de oefening. De oefening Flintlock duurt tot 9 maart.

Militairen oefenen in Afrikaans klimaat, Nieuwsbericht, 19 februari 2014

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6 Feb.
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Mi-février, un nouveau détachement de forces spéciales américaines et françaises est attendu au Niger. Officiellement pour participer à l'exercice Flint Lock 2014. Exercice régional qui s'est déjà déroulé par le passé au Mali et en Mauritanie.

Le Niger réclame une interventioninternationale en Libye, Publié le 6 février 2014

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22 Jan.
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Flintlock 2014 in Niger to Train SahelMilitary Forces Together

No new information

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20 Jan.
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L’édition de cette année [de Flintlock] intervient dans un contexte marqué par l’escalade de la violence en Libye, où des groupes extrémistes liés à Al-Qaïda, tels que ceux d’Ansar al-Sharia, se sont implantés dans plusieurs villes de l’est. La zone est d’ailleurs régulièrement survolée par des drones dont la mission se charge de la collecte d’informations.
Sahel : Démarrage en février des exercices « Flintlock, 20 janvier 2014 par Samuel Benshimon, Sahel Intelligence.

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17 Jan.
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Military service members from African, European and North American countries will gather in Niger next month for the "Flintlock" exercise.
The two-week drill, which focuses on Africa's fight against terrorism and trafficking, includes air and land operations.
Held every year n nations across the Sahel region, the exercises are planned by US Special Operations to develop the capacity and collaboration among African security forces to protect civilian populations.

Jemal Oumar in Nouakchott, Sahel military forces train together, Magharebia – 17/01/2014

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3 Jan.
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Similarly aspects of Operation Enduring Freedom Trans-Sahara (OEFTS) such as the Flintlock system have worked to shore up essential communication and infrastructure within 25 countries. Given that AFRICOM was first proposed as an idea in 2000, this is a remarkable degree of growth and cooperation that reflects the growing level of importance with which Africa now factors into US policymakers’ decisions.

Sean Durns, Growing US securitypresence in Africa allows safer investments, http://globalriskinsights.com/, January 3, 2014

Previous Flintlock blogs on Broekstukken:
military-exercises-and-arms (21 mar 2014)

Flintlock in the press 2013

Mijn losse-Mali-wapens-flodders en signaleringen ... (14 Jan 2013)

Flintlock Kamervragen (26 Apr 2011)

The Dutch and the War on Terror … in Africa  (11 Feb 2011)
Nederlanders in War on Terror….in Afrika (03 Feb 2011)

Previous Mali blogs on Broekstukken:

Mali, de luwte in de storm (10 Jan 2014)

Mali in de pers (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr 2014)

Voor of tegen (1): Mali (10 Nov 2013)

Terror in Nigeria with arms from Libya (24 Sep 2013)

Terreur in Nigeria met wapens uit Libië (19 Sep 2013)

Chaos in Mali; collateral damage van de oorlog in Libië (16 Dec 2012)

Wapenleveranties aan Libië en de buurlanden (07 Sep 2012)

Mali, de luwte in de storm

Bert Koenders in Mali, augustus 2013

Per 1 januari, vlak voor de aanvang van Nederlandse deelname aan de UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), hou ik het nieuws over Mali bij op een weblog. De eerste dagen heb ik nieuws, maar de tweede week speelt Mali al nauwelijks een rol meer in de internationale media.

Op donderdag 9 januari vind ik iets over voetballer Modibo Maiga, over zanger Omara Bombino Moctar (heel mooi, kijk maar) en over de afbouw van de Franse troepen, maar dat wisten we al. Niets voor een weblog. In Defense News, Jane's Defence Weekly, de berichten van de grootste Amerikaanse militaire uitgever (Early Bird) en zelfs op de site van het Africa Command speelt Mali – en dus de Nederlandse inzet - geen rol van betekenis.

Ik moet het met Nederlands nieuws doen. Aangezien het landelijke nieuws al door iedereen gelezen wordt die enige aandacht heeft voor de zaak, stort ik me op lokale berichtjes. De reactie van TenCate op de uniformen, in de Tubantia. De rol van de marine, in de Heldersche Courant. Niet meteen spectaculair.

In arremoede neem ik de Nederlandse artikel 100-brief nog maar eens door. In mijn vorige column voor Konfrontatie schreef ik dat een oplossing met de Toearegs een belangrijk punt zou moeten zijn. Tot mijn schrik zie ik dat de Mouvement National pour la Liberation de l’Azawad (MNLA) in de  artikel 100-brief op één hoop wordt gegooid met andere gewapende groepen, zoals Al-Qa'ida in the Islamitische Maghreb (AQIM)en de Mouvement pour l’Unicité et du Jihad en Afrique de l’Ouest (MUJAO). Het MNLA was onderhandelingspartner van de VN en de overheid in Bamako en had tot november een wapenstilstand afgesproken met de Malinese overheid. Iets meer onderscheid tussen verschillende groeperingen zou gezien de gespannen situatie tussen enerzijds het Noorden en anderzijds leger en hoofdstad gewenst zijn.

Er zijn van die artikelen die je bij blijven en waarvan je niet goed weet wat je er mee moet. De radiostilte in Mali is een goede reden om het even op te halen. Vorig jaar rende een lid van het Korps Commando Troepen (KCT) Detlev in zes dagen 231,5 km door de woestijn van buurland Mauretanië. De langste etappe was 75 km. Mauretanië is dodelijk heet, weet ik uit ervaring. Detlev is net als zijn collega commando's niet voor een kleintje vervaard en zeer kundig. In die zin heeft alle makkelijke kritiek dat negentig commando's niets uit kunnen richten een hoog Pavlov-gehalte. Dat kunnen ze wel. Zeker als het gaat om inlichtingen verzamelen. Dat is een deel van hun vak. Voor de weging van die informatie is wel hulp nodig van derden, zoals Malinese militairen. Dat kan dan tot gekleurde aannames leiden. Maak je daardoor fouten dan wordt je deel van het conflict; zeker voor de benadeelden van je keuzes.

De overheid van Mali is corrupt en incapabel. Daar wordt misbruik van gemaakt door buitenlandse ondernemingen die grondstoffen voor een schijntje het uit land uitsluizen en na het aangenaam verpozen het land laten zitten met de giftige schillen en dozen (zie Grondstoffenjagers, Raf Custers, EPO, 2013). Het staat ook een oplossing voor de problemen in de weg. Op weblog Sargasso wordt juist dit punt, het belang van de opbouw van een overheid, benadrukt. Die zal dan moeten zorgen voor een eerlijke verdeling van voorzieningen over het hele land. Maar of er ooit een overheid zal komen die er voor kan zorgen dat de rijkdommen van Mali in Mali blijven, kan je betwijfelen. Daarvoor is Mali veel te zwak. Hoe sterk die overheid ook wordt.

De aandacht van de media ligt begin januari in het Midden-Oosten. Daar ligt een serie andere Westerse avonturen (de oorlog in Irak, de avonturische en halfhartige steun aan de Syrische oppositie) mede aan de basis van groeiend extremistisch geweld. Het is ook de regio waar een honderdtal Nederlandse jongeren zichzelf op de kaart probeert te zetten binnen die strijd.

Het Nederlandse leger opereert met een kleine 400 man in de luwte van die storm: helemaal in het Westen van Afrika. Daar is volgens de Franse president Hollande op 8 januari alles onder controle en de missie geklaard.

Mali in the press (jan. 2014)

Op deze pagina korte stukjes uit de pers over ontwikkelingen in Mali in 2014. De meest algemene en breed gerapporteerde kwesties worden niet opgenomen. Waar mogelijk is een url toegevoegd.

Ook verschenen Mail in de pers:
februari, maart, april, May, June,  July,

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31 Jan.
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At this meeting, the Monarch reiterated the constant concern of the Kingdom of Morocco to preserve the territorial unity and stability of the Republic of Mali, as well as the need to contribute to a solution and a compromise that would help fight the fundamentalist and terrorist organizations that threaten the Maghreb countries and the Sahel, and promote the development and dignity of the people of Mali, the same source added.

On this occasion, His Majesty the King encouraged the MNLA to continue to take part in the regional dynamics, initiated by the United Nations and ECOWAS, as a realistic and efficient approach to reach a final and lasting solution to the current crisis.
The Sovereign also reiterated the continued commitment of Morocco to working to achieve a solution to the crisis in Mali, given the historical ties between the Republic of Mali and the Kingdom, and the particular interest of His Majesty the King in the promotion of relations of brotherhood, solidarity and cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by foreign minister Salaheddine Mezouar, and director of studies and documentation, Yassine El Mansouri.

Morocco; HM the King Receives Secretary General of National Movement for Liberation of Azawad in Marrakech, Maghreb Arabe Presse (Rabat), January 31, 2014


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Kamp bouwen bij 47 graden: In Mali zijn Nederlandse militairen begonnen met de bouw van kamp Castor. Op 450.000 m² savanne bouwen ze een complete militaire basis voor de Nederlandse hoofdmacht van MINUSMA. De bouwomstandigheden zijn niet ideaal. Lees verder...

Defensiekrant, Jaargang 1, Nummer 2, 31 januari 2014

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30 Jan.
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Addis Ababa, 30 January (ARI) - Pierre Buyoya, high representative for Mali and the Sahel and former Burundi president, has warned Africa and the international community that rebels who withdrew from Mali are resting and arming themselves in southern Libya so that they can once again launch attacks on Mauritania, Mali and Niger. "The rebels are a permanent threat to Sahel's security. Mali 's neighbouring countries must cooperate and organize themselves to deal with this scourge, " he said at a press conference on the eve of the African heads of state summit.

Rebels "arming in southern Libya", preparing to attack Mali, Niger, Mauritania, Rwandan news agency RNASource: RNA news agency, Kigali, in French 0000 gmt 30 Jan 14 (via BBC-World Service)

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28 Jan.
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A SOLDIER helping in the battle against al-Qaeda has been handed an on-the-spot "field promotion" by the head of the British Army - the first of its kind in more than 60 years.

General Sir Peter Wall ordered Rifleman Gigar Das, 31, to be bumped up by one rank after witnessing him training foreign troops fighting terrorists in West Africa.

(...)

"It is extremely unexpected, I couldn't be more proud." L Cpl Das was teaching Mali forces how to fight.

Chris Hughes, Give that man a medal; Private promoted in the field for the first time in 61 years , Daily Mirror, January 28, 2014.

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27 Jan.
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SRSG Bert Koenders visits the Chinese Camp in Gao. Photo MINUSMA/Marco Dormino http://www.flickr.com/photos/minusma/sets/

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RIGA, Jan 27, BNS - Baltic and Nordic chiefs of defense are due to gather for their annual meeting in Latvia from January 28-29 to decide on closer regional defense cooperation and participation in multinational operations, BNS was told at the Latvian Defense Ministry.
Participants of the meeting, who are also scheduled to meet with Latvian Defense Minister Raimonds Vejonis, will consider possible models of Baltic-Nordic cooperation in Afghanistan after 2014 when the multinational forces are planning to launch a new training operation in this country.
Other issues on the meeting's agenda include the situation in Africa, cooperation of Baltic and Nordic armed forces in the EU training mission in Mali and other possible areas of multinational operations.

Baltic, Nordic chiefs of defense to meet in Latvia, Baltic News Service / - BNS, January 27, 2014

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The 2nd BCT has sent about 2,500 soldiers to Africa. There are about 100 regular Army soldiers permanently stationed in sub-Saharan Africa, and 1,140 soldiers are receiving hostile fire pay for Africa deployments, according to an Army spokesman at the Pentagon.

For South Sudan, the Army sent soldiers to support the State Department to secure the US Embassy. For Mali, they trained African peacekeepers preparing to intervene. (...)

“We will likely continue with a balance of exercises, security cooperation and assistance, and helping African partners — along with having to do it ourselves or supporting allies.” With Mali, which saw a coup in 2012, followed by French intervention, soldiers from the 2nd BCT have been supporting French and international efforts. The soldiers, working with US Air Force planes ferrying troops, have been providing movement control and handling cargo over deployments of a few days each.

More recently, soldiers trained a battalion in Niger to conduct peacekeeping operations in Mali and have begun training a battalion in Guinea. 

Joe Gould, AFRICA Inside AfricaOps US Soldiers Teach, Learn; From Locals While Fending OffTerrorist Gains, Defense News 27 January 2014

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Oklo Resources (OKU) returned some promising gold intercepts from Mali (its shares rose 50 per cent -- two days before the announcement, by coincidence, of course). 

Robin Bromby, Lack of surplus shows life in gold, The Australian, January 27, 2014

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26 Jan
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To confront the threat, “the partnership between France and the United States is indispensable” and has proven “fruitful” in recent months after French military interventions in Mali and the Central African Republic, he told an audience at a US think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The visit offered a chance for the minister to present to the Americans a new French redeployment plan for the Sahel, which calls for 3,000 troops to be stationed at four hubs in Mali, Chad, Niger and Burkina Faso.

In the French operation in Mali launched in January 2013, the Pentagon provided aerial refueling tankers, cargo aircraft and intelligence, including unmanned drone aircraft.

French Defense Minister: US 'Indispensable' Ally In Africa, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, Jan. 26, 2014

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25 Jan.
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FRENCH forces have killed at least 11 suspected Islamist fighters and seized large amounts of weapons and ammunition during an operation in Mali’s northern region of Timbuktu.

A French army source in Mali said: “The operation was carried out on Wednesday night around 100km north of Timbuktu.

“Eleven terrorists were killed and one French soldier was wounded.”

A source at the Malian defence ministry in Bamako said French forces were carrying out operations in the region against Islamist militants, using air and ground troops. A French-led offensive last January drove out Islamist militants who had seized control of northern Mali. However, some fighters linked to al Qaeda are still holding out in pockets of territory in a north, a year after the offensive.

French kill 11 Islamists in Mali push, January 25, 2014, The Herald (Glasgow)
See also for info on targeted groups: http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/French-army-kills-11-militants-in-Mali-20140124-2

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BAMAKO, Mali (AP) A Malian military spokesman says the northern town of Kidal has come under attack from two rockets.

Cmdr. Daouda Sagara, head of the military in the town, said his soldiers had heard two large explosions Friday night.

Sagara said he had no information about whether anyone had been wounded or killed in the attack.

Kidal and the town of Gao have repeatedly come under attack from jihadists who had ruled the region until a French-led military operation was launched one year ago.

Mali military says 2 rockets fall near Kidal, January 25, 2014, The New Zealand Herald

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24 Jan.
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French soldiers carried out vast two military operations in the Timbuktu Region and near the Tessalit Mountains [in the northern part of Mali of the country] in the night of Wednesday and Thursday [22 and 23 January].
The aim is to prevent the jihadist groups from regrouping. French Defence Minister Jean Yves Le Drian disclosed yesterday [23 January] that the [terrorism] risks did not disappear totally from that part of the African continent.
On the other hand, African organizations said that mercenaries from Libya recently swelled the ranks of the radical Islamists in Mali.
French troops mount major anti-jihadist campaign in northern Mali, Radio France Internationale, Paris, in French 24 Jan 14, (via BBC Worldwide Monitoring January 25, 2014).

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23 Jan.
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Briefing the Council earlier this month, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the country, Bert Koenders, said UN Member States have pledged around 90 per cent of the authorized troops, personnel and equipment to MINUSMA – among them China, El Salvador and the Netherlands.

They should be on the ground by the end of spring, beginning of the summer, he said. The Mission currently contains 5,488 of the anticipated 11,200 military personnel; 71 out of 320 police officers; and 883 out of 1,120 Formed Police Units (FPU) elements.

Mali: withterrorists regrouping, Security Council urges full deployment of ‘blue helmets’, UN News Service, 23 January 2014

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[Presenter] Qatar will always stand with Mali to help it preserve its integrity and national unity. The statement is of Qatari minister of defence who had a head-to-head meeting with the head of state. The talks have essentially revolved around reinforcing security cooperation between the two countries. Special envoys to Doha report.
[Reporter] Mali and Qatar have decided to reinforce their cooperation in terms of defence and security. The topic was at the heart of a long head-to-head meeting between the president of the republic and the defence minister of Qatar. The two countries intend to very soon implement a program proposed by President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The aim is to accompany Mali to preserve its integrity and national unity. Qatar has committed itself to this end, reassures Hamad Bin-Ali al-Attiyah, defence minister of Qatar.
[Al-Attiyah] We are very happy to find that Mr President of the republic has a vision, a very wise vision for the long run relating to his ambitions for Mali and its presence on the international stage. This is a source confidence for us. So, we have noted that the priorities of Mr President of the republic is his concern to preserve, at every any cost, the national unity by achieving reconciliation, but also to ensure the respect, forever, of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the republic of Mali in addition to development.
In view of the head-to-head talks HE Mr President had with HH the emir, firm instructions and directives have been given about the mechanism and timetable of action to be carried out in order to help our brothers in Mali to reinforce and strengthen friendship and brotherly ties between the peoples of Mali and Qatar. So, we have received firm instruction from HH the emir in order to reach out or hand to our brothers in Mali and accept their extended hand and explore, within the limits of our means, all possible ways to boost this bilateral relation and cooperation. So, we have been honoured to receive Mr President of the republic this morning to start the programme as designed and according to the instructions of HH the emir yesterday regarding Mali.
[Reporter] The discussions continued around a lunch banquet offered to the president and his delegation by the Qatari minister of defence. The meeting ended with exchanges of gifts between the two delegations.
Mali president, Qatari defence minister discuss security cooperation, ORTM TV, Bamako, in French 2000 gmt 23 Jan 14 (via BBC Worldwide Monitoring, January 24, 2014)

***
22 Jan.
***

It seems that, in order to give France a helping hand, some sort of exchange is being considered. To make it possible for France to send additional troops to the Central African Republic, the German Bundeswehr will step up its commitment in Mali. This is where Germany could provide greater help, according to Foreign Minister Steinmeier.

France has been active in Mali since January 2013 with an offensive mission to push back rebels who had taken control of the north. The Bundeswehr has been present in Mali since Spring 2013, with a mandate to train Malian forces (as part of the European Union's EUTM mission) and also to provide the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) with air transport and refueling.

170 Bundeswehr soldiers are currently stationed in Mali. If their training mission were to be extended, the Bundeswehr could send in more soldiers who could take over security duties in the capital Bamako and at the training camp in Koulikoro.

Christian Democratic (CDU) parliamentarian and foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter thinks it would be right to extend the Bundeswehr mission in Mali. "The EU intervention has stabilized Mali. Now it's time for us ease the burden of our French partners, who want to deploy in the Central African Republic, together with other EU forces," Kiesewetter told DW.

This could be decided on in the coming weeks when the Bundestag debates an extension of the mandate for the mission in Mali which runs out at the end of February.

Germany to bolster its presence inAfrica, Deutche Welle, 22 January, 2014

--

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita arrived in Qatar for a three-day official visit yesterday evening.

No details were provided on the programme of the visit. However, according to Malian television, the visit is aimed at giving further boost to the economic cooperation between the two countries.

This meeting is taking place two days after the Malian president's visit to Algeria which centred on reconciliation between the government and the armed groups in the northern part of Mali.

Malian leader begins three-day visit to Qatar, Radio France Internationale, Paris, in French 0530 gmt 22 Jan 14 (via BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 23 January, 2014)

 ***
21 Jan.
***

In Mali, a vehicle belonging to the UN mission MINUSMA [United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali], blew up on hitting a landmine yesterday [20 January].

The anti-personnel mine was laid on the road to Aguelhoc, at an area that is located about 30km from Kidal in the far north-eastern part of the country. Some five peacekeepers were injured slightly in the accident.

According to a report by the UN that was published at the beginning of January, the anti-personnel mine services of the UN is coordinating activities of nine teams from organisations in the region with the aim of clearing the mines in Timbuktu, Gao, Mopti and Segou in the central western part of the country.

Five hurt after UN vehicle hits landmine in northeast, Radio France Internationale, Paris, in French 0330 gmt 21 Jan 14 (via BBC Worldwide Monitoring January 22, 2014)

--

PARIS (AP) — France will broaden its military presence in Africa's turbulent Sahel region with specialized new outposts to better fight the terror threat from extremist groups such as al-Qaida, the defense minister said Tuesday.(...)

The minister expects to detail the initiative to U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and national security adviser Susan Rice, during a trip to Washington this week. France has worked closely with U.S. forces to try to fight extremism in Africa.(...)
Under the plan, Chad's capital, N'Djamena, will be a hub of French air power in the region and a base for Rafale and Mirage fighters. A site in Niamey, Niger's capital, will be equipped with unmanned aircraft such as France's Harfang and — as of its first official flight on Monday — a U.S.-made Reaper surveillance drone that Le Drian helped authorize France to buy.

Jamey Keaten, France to up Africa military presence, AP, 21 January, 2014

***
20 Jan.
***

Algeria and Mali have reiterated their support for a "mutually acceptable political solution" to the question of Western Sahara "in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly ."
In a joint statement on Sunday following the visit of friendship and work by Malian president to Algeria, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and his Malian counterpart Ibrahim Boubacar Keita affirmed their "support for the efforts of the UN Secretary- General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and his Personal Envoy , Mr. Christopher Ross, to find a mutually acceptable political solution in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly. "

Algeria; Western Sahara - Algeria and Mali Support Political Solution Acceptable to Both Parties, Sahara Press Service (El Aaiun), January 20, 2014

***
19 Jan.
***

The Malian foreign minister said that those movements "made a request directly to the Algerian government which immediately informed the Malian government which welcomed the endeavour".
He added: "The Algerian mediation between the gunmen and the Malian government aims at facilitating a dialogue between Malians." He stressed that "some movements have responded favourably and others will join the others," to complete last June's Ouagadougou talks between the Malian authorities and the Tuareg rebels.
Commenting on his Malian counterpart's response, Lamamra said that the talks between the rebel movements in northern Mali were at a "preliminary" stage and explained: "We have not yet reached the stage at which we could actually say that the dialogue between Malians has been revived." He stressed that Algeria and Mali had agreed that the dialogue between Malians would be held in Bamako. He described the preliminary talks as "positive" and "promising", and said they constituted an "initial stage" which would be followed by other stages in which new players may take part.
In what seemed like absolving Algeria of any responsibility for contacting the armed movements, Lamamra stressed: "Algeria briefed all the neighbouring countries and regional and international partners on the preliminary talks" and categorised the Malian president's visit as recognition of the Algerian efforts.
(…) In reply to a question on drones flying in Algerian air space near the Tunisian border and the truth about the presence of [US] Marines military bases along the Algerian border with Tunisia, Lamamra said: "There are no foreign forces in Algerian territory and, according to our information, there are no drones on the Tunisian side."
In reply to a question on the fate of the Algerian diplomats who were abducted in Mali about two years ago, he gave the old reply without any details, and said: "The Algerian diplomats are alive and "well" and I hope they would not be held for long and that they would be released very soon."
Algeria to mediate between Malian rebels and government, Echourouk El Youmi website, Algiers, in Arabic 19 Jan 14 (via BBC Worldwide Monitoring January 20, 2014)

Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal held today talks with Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who is paying a work and friendship visit to Algeria. These talks were extended later to include the members of the two countries delegations.

Algerian prime minister, Malian president hold talks, Algerian radio, Algiers, in Arabic 19 Jan 2014 (via BBC Worldwide Monitoring)

--

One prominent Morocco-based al Qaeda expert, who has interviewed former and current leaders of AQIM in Mauritania, said there are even signs the group is preparing to recapture lost territory northern Mali once the French leave.
"The strategy that people told me in Mauritania was that they always withdraw to Libya where they can hide and wait for the French to leave," said Djalil Lounnas, an Algerian researcher at the University of Montreal's Center for International Peace and Security Studies.(...)
The Tuareg are a nomadic desert people spread across the Sahara throughout Mali, Niger, Libya, Algeria and Mauritania. With no state of their own, they have mounted revolts for independence numerous times over the past decades. While their rootlessness and grievances make them receptive to al Qaeda's message, their deep knowledge of the terrain make them an invaluable resource for a terror network seeking to rebuild in hiding.

Paul Schemm, After being driven out of Mali, desert provides al Qaeda refuge, The Associated Press, January 19, 2014  

***
18 Jan.
***

Stephen McFaul hoped his end would come quick, as he feared bleeding to death. The west Belfast man believed he was about to be blown up by Islamic extremists in a land far away from home. (...) "They wanted us to relay the message they want the military to pull back from the immediate area, they want to have safe passage from the facility to the In Amenas airport, and from there they want to take us, the hostages, to north Mali, which is the area they now control."
Clare Graham, Terrorists. Tied me to a bomb. I thought:: I just hope it's quick, January 18, 2014, Belfast Telegraph
BAMAKO,(AP) Tuareg rebels withdrew from negotiations with Mali's government scheduled to take place in Algeria this week over fears their political grievances wouldn"t be addressed, a spokesman said Friday, highlighting continuing tension between the two sides.
Mali's Tuareg rebels abandon Algeria-hosted talks, January 18, 2014, The New Zealand Herald

***
17 Jan.
***

Now we bring to you this information. The former Islamic judge of Timbuktu, the man called Houka Houka Ag Alfousseyni, has just been arrested by the Malian armed and security forces. The men of Col Keba Sangare, the commander of Timbuktu military operations, have arrested him in Essakane Sector where he was hiding. In the city of the 333 Saints residents are rejoicing for the arrest and congratulating the soldiers for the brave undertaking.
Malian army arrests former Islamist judge of Timbuktu, Source: ORTM TV, Bamako, in French 17 Jan 14, BBC Worldwide Monitoring (January 20, 2014)

--

China has sent a troop of 395 peacekeepers to the United Nations mission in Mali, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Friday.

Hong Lei said at a regular press briefing that the troop is composed of 170 security personnel, 155 military engineers and 70 medical staff. All of them have been deployed.

China helps keep peace in Mali, Xinhua,January 17, 2014

--

Algeria's army has put its troops on alert in the south in response to security warnings over imminent armed attacks, coinciding with the first anniversary of the assault on the In Amenas gas complex, Al-Jazeera reported on 16 January.

Troops were placed on alert on Algeria's eastern border with Libya and on its borders with Niger and Mali, according to an Algerian security source.
Al-Jazeera also reported that Algeria troops killed three gunmen while they were monitored trying to cross in a four-wheel-drive vehicle into Ouch Bachir, an area between the southern provinces of Adrar, Ghardaia and El Bayedh.
Algeria's army reportedly on alert on anniversary of gas plant attack, Source: Al-Jazeera TV, Doha, in Arabic 16 Jan 14 (via BBC Monitoring Middle East – Political, January 17, 2014)

***
16 Jan.
***

Africom on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmyAfrica/posts/10152552439777977
In a joint effort, the U.S. has flown multiple missions moving personnel and equipment to support French operations in Mali. In addition, the U.S. is providing aerial-refueling capabilities.

U.S. Army Africa · 8.354 mensen vinden dit leuk, 16 januari 2014

--

The yearlong U.S. Air Force operation over Mali in support of the French mission there is set to continue for the immediate future, officials said.
Adam L. Mathis, No end in sight for 1-year-old Air Force mission over Mali, Stars and Stripes, January 16, 2014. ***

***
15 Jan.
***

APSA : CONTOURS ET DÉFIS  D’UNE AFRIQUE DE LA DÉFENSE
Par Michel Luntumbue Avec la participation d’Oswald Padonou, 15 janvier 2014, a booklet by groupe de recherche et d'information sur la paix et la sécurité (GRIP), pp. 16.

***

13 Jan.
***

The expanded PLAN [People's Liberation Army Navy] presence in MENA [the Middle East and North Africa] is part of the overall broadening of PLAN contributions to international security operations, including the deployment of servicemen to join the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) - marking the first time the PLAN deployed security forces for peacekeeping operations, albeit for the purpose of providing area security for MINUSMA headquarters and living areas of the peacekeepers. 
Koi Kye Lee, China's navy expanding global role, January 13, 2014, New Straits Times (Malaysia)

--

[correspondent Christine Muratet] According to the HCR, there are still 185,000 Malian refugees in the neighbouring countries and that only 14,000 chose to return home. The United Nations refugee agency expressed optimism despite everything. A tripartite agreement is being prepared between the HCR, Mali and the host countries so as to aid the refugees to return to their villages or their camps in total safety. But the representative of the HCR in Bamako, Marie Antoinette Okimba-Bousquet, acknowledged that whole areas are still difficult o be reached.
[Okimba-Bousquet] There are some areas that are perfectly safe. On the contrary, in some areas where there is no access and where the security conditions are not met, we cannot encourage the people to return to these regions.
[Muratet] This is the same feeling that a Malian of the Arab Berrabiche community has. He is now living with his family in the M'Bere camp in Mauritania after seeking refuge for a time in Burkina Faso. His house is in Lere [which is a small town and rural commune of the District of Nianfunke in the Timbuktu Region], which is not far from there. Yet he refuses to return because, he said, he does not have any confidence. Some Malian soldiers took advantage of his absence to settle illegally in his house.
[Malian refugee] They broke down my door and entered my house without my permission. How am I going to return home? Where is the confidence? If there is an investigation into the killings of the people in the north, there will be confidence between the government and the people. There will not be any confidence, if there is no investigation. [Muratet] In a report, the International Crisis Group said that the Malian state lost its credibility before a big number of the people of the northern part of the country and that it is late for the moment demonstrating its ability to restore the basic services in these areas. Radio France Internationale, Paris, in French, 13 January 2014, (Via BBC World Service). Vet door Broekstukken

***
12 Jan.
***

[Presenter] President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, is since this morning in Nouakchott, Mauritania, on a 72-hour working and friendship and visit. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is accompanied by his spouse, several members of the government, economic operators and notables. Talks about exchanges and bilateral cooperation, notably security and economy will top agenda. The president o the republic will also visit number of development infrastructures. Our special envoys Ibrahima Traore, Demba Ouane and Ibrahim Coulibaly have the story.

Mali president discusses economy, security issues with Mauritanian counterpart, Via BBC World Nes 12jan. 2014 (Excerpt from report by Malian state-owned ORTM TV on 10 January)

--

Three United Nations peacekeepers were hurt in a gunfight while they were pursuing suspects near a military camp in Mali.

A rocket attack took place on Friday evening in Aguel'hoc, and a battalion of Chadian peacekeepers were out on patrol searching for the assailants, UN spokesman Olivier Salgado said.

The peacekeepers exchanged fire with gunmen, resulting in three of the Chadians getting wounded.

Security remains tight in the region as al-Qaedalinked militants remain active.

3 soldiers wounded, January 12, 2014, The Sun (England)

***

11 Jan.
***

Aid agencies estimate that of northern Mali's population of 1.3 million, almost 500,000 have been displaced as a result of the crisis. Now, a year after France, the former colonial power, intervened and retook the north with the help of Chadian troops, many have still not returned. 

Charlie English Bamako, Fear keeps displaced people of Mali far from home: Rebels have been driven out but distrust, insecurity and food shortages remain, January 11, 2014, The Guardian 

--

From the troubled West African nations of Mali and Nigeria, through Libya and on to Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistan in the east, the perspective is one of al-Qa'ida and its proxies and affiliates on the march in a way that contradicts all the optimistic narrative of significantly weakened jihadist militancy expressed by Obama last year. It comes as a stark reminder of just what the al-Qa'ida success in Fallujah means for a world that was led to believe it had terrorism against the ropes. 

BRUCE LOUDON, Al-Qai'da's warriors rush in where Americans fear to tread, January 11, 2014, Weekend Australian

***

10 Jan.
***

The government is rekindling clientelist links with Tuareg and Arab leaders with the aim to divide and gradually weaken the armed groups. This policy is likely to bring short-term stability at the expense of long-term cohesion and inclusiveness, vital for peace and development in the troubled north. In addition, it has deepened tensions between armed groups, thus increasing the risk of new splinter groups taking up arms.

International Crisis Group (Brussels), Mali; Reform or Relapse, January 10, 2014

Includes 18 recommendations for government and armed groups.  

--

The MINUSMA head praised the role played by Algeria to restore stability to Mali and the region as a whole.

Algerian foreign minister, MINUSMA chief discuss developments in Mali, Algerian TV, Algiers, in Arabic 1900 gmt January 10, 2014 (via BBC World Service).

***
8 Jan.
***

CREIL, FRANCE — France will cut its troops in Mali to 1,600 by the middle of next month from the current level of 2,500, President Francois Hollande said Wednesday.
Speaking at an airbase in Creil in northern France, Hollande said the “situation is well under control” in Mali, where the “key objectives of the mission have been accomplished.”
AFP, France To Cut Troops In Mali, Says Mission Accomplished, Jan. 8, 2014 

--

Den Helder Vlootpersoneel in de woestijn van Mali? In eerste instantie stuurt Defensie de zeer ervaren kolonel-der-mariniers Joost de Wolf naar Afrika, maar op termijn is het ook mogelijk dat vlootpersoneel wordt ingezet. De inzet van marinemensen op het Afrikaanse vasteland klinkt als een tegenspraak in termen, maar komt vaker voor. In Afghanistan zijn de afgelopen jaren regelmatig mannen en vrouwen van het Commando Zeestrijdkrachten gestationeerd.
Arie Booy, Van de zee naar zand; Mogelijk ook vlootpersoneel op termijn naar Mali, 8 januari 2014, Noordhollands Dagblad

***

6 Jan.
***

Wat de situatie complex maakt, is dat er verschillende commandolijnen lopen door Mali. Er is de VN-missie onder verantwoordelijkheid van Koenders, maar er zijn ook duizend Fransen die zelfstandig opereren en alleen aansluiten als sprake is van acute dreiging. Daarnaast loopt er een trainingsmissie voor het Malinese leger, onder leiding van de Europese Unie. Daar doet Nederland, op een onderofficier na, niet aan mee. ,,Een complex militair landschap,'' meent Homan.

Missie in Mali komt stroef op gang, 6 januari 2014, AD/Algemeen Dagblad

---

Koninklijke TenCate in Almelo is 'blij verrast' over de kritiek van de militaire vakbond VBM op de mogelijke aanschaf van Chinese uniformen voor Nederlandse militairen die naar Mali worden uitgezonden. Volgens het concern kan de kritiek helpen Defensie toch nog te laten kiezen voor de TenCate-stof Defender M. "Die beschermt onze militairen veel beter." 
TenCate blij met discussie Mali-pak, 6 januari 2014, tubantia.nl/regio/almelo/

***
5 Jan.
***

On a visit to Mali last week, Yves Le Drian, the defence minister, trumpeted the success of the intervention. "A year ago, they were torturing people and chopping off hands here," he said in a reference to the extremists.

Things may yet turn sour. Despite government assurances that France is intervening purely on humanitarian grounds or to stop terrorism, critics have accused it of "neo-colonialism" and say France is acting to protect its commercial interests and supplies from a French-run uranium mine in Niger, Mali's neighbour.

There are fears, too, of "mission creep": the French force in Mali will be reduced from 2,500 to 1,000 in the spring but that contingent will remain "for as long as necessary", Le Drian said, to "accompany" Malian forces in their battle against "terrorists". This was taken to mean that the operation could drag on indefinitely.

Matthew Campbell, Flaky French reborn as global gendarmes, The Sunday Times (London), January 5, 2014 

***
3 Jan.
***

In many African countries, the population has absolutely no say in the way the nation is run. The rulers serve their masters in American or European capitals.

Classic examples are the French speaking West African countries where the ruling elite represent the French elite and any attempt at changing the status quo is met with French military intervention.

In Mali, the Touaregs have found it had to change the government in Bamako. The French first intervened under the guise of fighting Al-Qaeda and then organized a smokescreen election to stabilize the country.

A stable Mali under the current system only benefits the ruling elites and the French. Currently, France is fighting rebels in Central African Republic (CAR) with the intention of reestablishing the old order where the citizens will have absolutely no role in the direction of their country. The story of Ivory Coast mirrors that of Mali and CAR.
Salah Abdi Sheikh, Somalia; With Its New Ruling Elite Somalia Has Lost Destiny, The Star (Nairobi), January 3, 2014

***
1 Jan.
***

"Facilitators"

Among the jihadists, "there are permanent members and occasional members, the recruitment fluctuates," observes General Guionie, number two with the Serval force. A fact that renders security even more complicated. "Our adversaries cannot be placed into particular categories. We cannot act according to this Cartesian vision," confirms Lieutenant Colonel Calvez.

Yet little by little the work of the French in the field is paying off and the inhabitants of Gao no longer hesitate in providing information on jihadist groups. Four "facilitators" - men who act as go-betweens between the militias and civilians - were arrested recently close to Timbuktu, the most recent by Malian forces.

A sure sign that the Islamist groups are still active in the region is the discovery by Serval troops near Tessalit on 29 December of a cache of five tons of ammonium nitrate, the principal component in making home-made bombs. At the beginning of the month they also discovered a fully fledged training camp in the desert with a buried service station, stocks of spare parts, pick-up trucks concealed under straw, caches of medicines, and shooting ranges. All of which was invisible from the air but a site used as recently as three days before the French hit upon it.
Laure Bretton, In Mali, French Troops Still Face Jihadist Threat, Liberation website, in French 1 January 2014

--

SARAH COVINGTON, Risks of targeted, January 2014 Jane’s intelligenoe Review

First filed online: 21 November 2013Despite Jouleibib’s death, recent attacks in Tombouctou and Gao indicate that jihadists are still able to operate in northern Mali.

 
***
31 Dec. 2013
***

Spanish Colonel Felix Eugenio Garcia Cortigo is the second head of this EU operation, with an order of battle comprising 534 officers, soldiers, and other ranks. EUTM has already trained three battalions of Mali's army. Each is made up of 700 troops. They are already fighting in the north of the country ... beyond Timbuktu. The original, 15-month, mandate of the operation ends in May. It is likely that the EU will extend it for a further 24 months. Colonel Garcia Cortijo stresses that "the operation's record, to date, is undeniably successful." The EU is already drawing a new operational plan for the period 2014-2016.

[Villarejo Villarejo] What news do you have, about Mali's battalions that have been trained?

[Garcia Cortijo] The first group (called "Waraba," meaning "lion") is operating in the north east of the country. The second ("Elou," meaning "elephant") in Kidal and Menaka, having taken part in operation "Hydra" side by side with French and UN troops. The third ("Sigui," meaning buffalo) is awaiting to be assigned a deployment zone. All reports reaching us, dealing with their behaviour, are positive.

[Villarejo Villarejo] What does the training that you provide them involve?

[Garcia Cortijo] They are tactical groups, bringing together a number of specialties: infantry, artillery, engineers, communications, logistics, commandos ... For 10 weeks, we train them gradually, from the individual combatant level to the tactical group level. Something very important for us is to insist also on morale, during the whole procedure. This includes cohesion, discipline, and combat ethics. We also insist on aspects considered to be essential, such as respect for the law and for international humanitarian law, and making Mali's military personnel aware of gender issues.
Esteban Villarejo, The Threat of Jihadism in Mali Has Not Been Neutralized, ABC website, in Spanish 31 December 2013

***
***

What role do the UN-troops of MINUSMA play in Mali at the moment?
Not a great deal, as far as I can see. They’re not a combat force, but rather seem to act as a kind of buffer between the Malian army and the Tuaregs in Kidal.

(...)  

What is the situation in the north at present?
There are a lot of tensions between the Malian government on the one hand, and MINUSMA and the French forces on the other. There is this feeling that the Operation Serval troops and UN mission are there to keep the Malian army from re-entering Kidal, acting as a kind of protection for the Tuareg rebels—some of whom, such as the MNLA, quickly aligned themselves with the French against the Islamists. President Keita has accused the ‘international community’ of forcing his country to ‘negotiate on its own soil with people who have taken up arms against the state’, and called the situation in Kidal ‘unacceptable’. Meanwhile many of the Salafists who fled to other countries are now going back and forth, crossing into Mali to mount attacks and disappearing again. Unlike in Afghanistan, say, they aren’t really sheltered by the local population.
Interview, THE MALIAN CRISIS with OUSMANE SIDIBE, New Left Review 84, November-December 2013

Previous Flintlock blogs on Broekstukken:

Flintlock 2013 (14 Nov 2013)

Mijn losse-Mali-wapens-flodders en signaleringen ... (14 Jan 2013)

Flintlock Kamervragen (26 Apr 2011)

The Dutch and the War on Terror … in Africa  (11 Feb 2011)
Nederlanders in War on Terror….in Afrika (03 Feb 2011)

Previous Mali blogs on Broekstukken:

Mali, de luwte in de storm (10 Jan 2014)

Mali in de pers (jan. 2014) (04 Jan 2014)

Voor of tegen (1): Mali (10 Nov 2013)

Terror in Nigeria with arms from Libya (24 Sep 2013)

Terreur in Nigeria met wapens uit Libië (19 Sep 2013)

Chaos in Mali; collateral damage van de oorlog in Libië (16 Dec 2012)

Wapenleveranties aan Libië en de buurlanden (07 Sep 2012)