Mali rebels losing ground

Following a coup that took place in Mali eight months ago, a rebel group has taken control of north Mali claiming it as an independent state. The rebels belong to an organisation called the National Movement of Liberation of Azawad (NMLA) and are believed to have Islamist links, although the organisation denies this. The movement had been pushing for the creation of an independent State for many months and saw the April coup as the ideal time to break away.

If the fighting continues there are warning signs that humanitarian conditions will deteriorate- David Casa

As a result of this rebel occupation of northern Mali, many Malians have been internally displaced. EU figures from Catherine Ashton indicate that about 200,000 people have been displaced internally while another 140,000 have fled to neighbouring countries such as Mauritania.

Doctors Without Borders have stated that an estimated 1,000 refugees enter Mauritania every day. This is leading to problems such as difficulty in accessing clean water as well as exposure to extreme temperatures and frequent sandstorms.

However, returning from a visit, European Humanitarian Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva stated that the occupation has not caused a significant increase to the number of displacements and refugees. Compared to 2012, there has only been an increase of 10,000 displacements. This has yet to have a negative effect on the humanitarian situation.

Nevertheless, if the fighting continues there are warning signs that humanitarian conditions will deteriorate, as the infrastructure to deliver assistance is being reduced. Algeria, which shares a 2,000-kilometre border with Mali, closed its border on January 14. This will have a significant impact on market goods and the economy. Food and fuel prices have begun to rise sharply. In addition, NGOs are only allowed to enter the north if they have permission.

After the coup, both the EU and the US have provisionally suspended the development assistance they provide to Mali.

The European Commission has allocated a total of €583 million for 2008-2013. These funds will be used to assist poverty reduction by establishing projects with the aim of creating sustainable and inclusive economic development. The money will, once again, be available when the country is returned to constitutional order and elections are held.

However, this temporary suspension of funds will not affect the humanitarian aid the EU also provides to Mali. Since 2012, the Commission has provided Mali with €93 million in humanitarian aid. Out of this, €20 million have been directly allocated to assist the victims of the conflict. The EU and its member States combined have provided €131 million to Mali in 2012. In addition, the EU has contributed to Mali’s security policy under the Sahil strategy, which allocates €50 million in assistance.

Apart from humanitarian assistance, France has sent troops to join Malian forces to help push back the rebels. So far, they have recaptured five rebel cities such as Gao, Konna and Diabaly. They have also managed to regain control over Timbuktu airport, meeting no resistance from rebel forces and have begun to enter the city.

However, the rebels’ presence in Timbuktu is evident as they have begun burning buildings such as the Ahmed Baba Institute, which contained ancient manuscripts, as well as the homes of civil servants.

As Timbuktu has now been reclaimed, the last remaining rebel stronghold is Kidal, situated on the border with Algeria. It is believed the rebels may also have hideouts in the desert but this will be phase two of the operation. African troops have begun to hold the previously liberated cities as the French and Malian forces continue to advance on the rebels. However, the slow response to the conflict in Mali has been criticised at a summit of African leaders that took place on Saturday.

Despite not deploying troops to Mali, Germany supports the French intervention and has provided both political and material support where it can. Italy has recently taken the decision against sending troops to Mali because the caretaker government does not have the political support to do so, despite a proposal for military assistance being passed by the Chamber of Deputies.

David Casa is a Nationalist MEP.