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| Africa Subsaharan |
| Mali's neighbors fear spread of Islamism in region |
| 2012-12-21 |
| When a radical French Muslim cleric was arrested in Mali last month on his way to join Islamist Senegal and other neighbors may have to confront their fears soon. The UN Security Council voted on Thursday to approve a military intervention in Mali, led by African forces and backed by Western military trainers. This intervention could have unintended consequences, including the possible spread of violence in the region. The Islamists in northern Mali have already threatened to bomb the capitals of any African nation that contributes troops to the planned military force. The radicals in northern Mali could easily move across the porous frontiers. Some Senegalese men have joined one of the leading Islamist groups, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. And AQIM has reportedly used Senegal for some of its money-laundering operations. The fear of spreading terrorism is a main reason for the Security Council's decision to approve the force of 3,300 troops, which is likely to enter Mali next year. The force will attempt to push back the jihadis before they can cross borders into other countries. Mali's authorities are convinced that the Islamists will target neighboring countries. Fadiala Sidibe, police commissioner in Mopti, near the rebel-controlled territory said, "Their target is Western civilization. They will try to take Europeans hostage. They will bomb vehicles. They want to impose Islamic sharia law all over West Africa." |
| Posted by:ryuge |