Situation in Northern Mali still unstable

May 2, 2013

Situation is still unstable in Northern Mali which is grappling with the problem of jihadist attacks and al-Qaeda terrorism.
What is happening in Mali?
·          Mali gained independence in 1960 as Mali Federation. Soon Senegal withdrew from federation, Mali became Republic of Mali.
·          One party rule till 1991 coup which led to the writing of a new constitution and the establishment of Mali as a democratic, multi-party state.
·          In March 2012, conflict in northern region was carried out by a group of junior soldiers who seized control of the presidential palace and declared the government dissolved and its constitution suspended.
·          Islamist group linked with Al-Qaeada gained the centre stage in the conflict.
·          Efforts are on to regain control of northern region of the country which is under Islamist control.
·         The UN Security Council had given approval for an African-led intervention force, which UN officials said could not be launched until September.
·         France sent troops to the affected regions which operated with Malian troops that led to recapture of two key towns from al-Qaeda-linked Islamists holding Mali’s north. This move was also backed by the UN.
Current Situation:
Although the French led operations have recaptured the key regions from al-Qaeda, large weapons caches are still believed to be hidden in the desert, has dampened the initial spirit of jubilation after French forces swept into the region. In addition to regular incidents outside Timbuktu, it and other towns in the north have been rocked by a spate of suicide bombings.