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Case Study Mali

Asymmetric Security Challenges in the
21st Century (ASC 21)
John Leigh
Senior Adjunct Instructor
Joint Special Operations University
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Joint Special Operations

University (JSOU)
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Why study Mali?

1. Provides an example of a nexus between

ungoverned space, failed state, terrorism,
religious extremism, transnational organized
crime and illegal migration.
2. Considerable western security activity in the
country and region.

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Mali

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Geography

Source: CNN
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Northern Mali

Source: Trekmag.com

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The Sahel

Source: Daniel Tiveau/CIFOR

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The Sahel
• 150 million inhabitants
• 6 million face severe food
insecurity
• 60%< 25 years old
• 1 in 4 live in conflict areas
• Water per inhabitant has
dropped 40% in past 20
years
• 3.8 billion USD estimated
yearly profit from arms,
drugs and human
Source: Wikipedia trafficking
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Capital of Mali
Bamako

Source: Newsinfo.inquirer.net

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Bambara People

Source: Firstladymali.com

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Tuareg People

Source: BBC

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Tuareg People

Source: Wikipedia

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Mali Economy
• Revenue primarily from gold
mining and cotton exports
• Most agricultural activity
confined Niger River area
• Most of populace conduct
subsistence farming, fishing
or herding
• 77% of population live
below the poverty line ($2
per day)
• Dependent on foreign aid
Source: worldatlas.com

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Mali Economy
• Mali has considerable natural
resources, with gold, uranium,
phosphates, kaolinite, salt
• and limestone being most widely
exploited. Mali is estimated to
have in excess of 17,400 tonnes
of uranium (measured +
indicated + inferred). In 2012, a
further uranium mineralized
north zone was identified.

Source: worldatlas.com

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History since Independence

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Lack of unity

• Tuareg and Arabs challenge the authority of

the government based in Bamako
• North / South divide
• Political and social efforts concentrated on
the south, increased marginalisation in the
north
• Rebellions in the north in 1963, 1991, 2006

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Lack of Legitimacy

• Central government attempted to divide and

rule, exploiting ethnic divisions and even
employing ethnic based vigilantes
• Central government presence restricted to
military garrisons (unpopular with soldiers
and locals!)
• Aggravated by regional powers who sought
to gain influence (esp. Algeria and Libya)
• Presence of NGOs and Islamic preaching
movements from 1990s
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Ungoverned Space

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Issues

• Lack of Governance
• Poverty
• Unemployment
• Corruption
• TOC
• Lack of security
• Drought
• Poor infrastructure
• Armed Insurrection
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Jan-Jun 2012

• Turmoil in Mali
– 4th Tuareg Uprising beginning in Menaka
– Islamist takeover of all northern cities
– Military coup in Bamako
• Link to overthrow of Gaddafi

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Main Actors

• The five main Islamists groups in Mali are:

– Harakat Ansar al Dine (homegrown)
– Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa
(Mujao)
– al- Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)
– Signed-in-Blood Battalion
– Islamic Movement for Azawad (IMA).
• MNLA The National Movement for the
Liberation of Azawad

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Azawad

Source: Arabpress.eu

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Coup

• March 2012, a mutiny by disaffected soldiers citing

lack of response to rebellion in the north

• A military junta led by Captain Amadou Sanogo took

power

• Suspended the Constitution and dissolved

Government institutions

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The Coup Leader

Captain Sanogo

Source: thelondoneveningpost.com

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Amadou Toumani Toure

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Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta 2013

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The North African Nexus

Source: Norwegian Centre of Global Analysis

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Cocaine Smuggling 2009

Source: newsweek.com

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Terrorism

• Jihadists run training camps for aspiring

extremists in northern Mali

• International recruits

• Links with other international terrorist

organizations

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MILITARY SITUATION

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Op Barkhane
(Successor of Op Serval)

• France + Sahel 5 Countries (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritania,

Chad)

• 3,000 strong French counter-terrorism force

– 1,000 soldiers deployed indefinitely in Mali focused on counter-
terrorism operations in northern Mali
– 1,200 soldiers stationed in Chad
– Remaining soldiers split between a surveillance base in Niger, a
bigger permanent base in Ivory Coast, and some special forces
in Burkina Faso.

• Mandate to operate across borders

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France -2013

• France - 4,500 personnel are deployed

with Operation Barkhane (formerly
Serval)
• Supported by UK helicopters

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G5 Sahel Counter Terrorism

Force
• Mandate to tackle terrorism, TOC and human
trafficking
• Aim to deploy 5000 troops
• BF, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger
• To work alongside Op Burkhane

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MINUSMA

• United Nations Multidimensional Integrated

Stabilisation Mission in Mali
– UNSCRs 2100 of 25 April 2013 and 2614 of 25
June 2014
– Take over authority from AFISMA on 01 July 2013
– About 11,000 military, about 1,500 police
personnel
• Mandate
– Rebuild Malian Defense and Security forces
– Support recovery of all territories of Mali
– Transition to Stability Operations
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European Training Mission

Mali (EUTM) – 2017

Source: eutmmali.eu

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European Union Training

Mission (EUTM)
• 24 December 2012, official petition for deployment
• Purpose: “The restoration of a lasting peace in Mali is
essential for long term stability in the Sahel region and in
a broader sense for Africa and Europe…”
• Mid-April 2013 EU trainers begin to arrive
– Mission is to train and advise the Malian military
– 28 contributing states: 575 personnel

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Sep 27 2018

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Questions?

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