The rebels in northern Mali few months ago rose against the federal Government headed by Franco Bousosi. The Malian government was put under pressure as the rebels were taking over some key cities in the country. Every effort and strategy by the Malian armies to stop the rebels proved abortive. Cease fire was reached and the rebels turned down the offer and began a serious offensive on the Malian Soldiers.
Peace accord was held but to no avail. President Franco Bousisi approached the African Union in Addis Ababa for support to fight the rebels. But the rebels were bent to wreck havoc in the country and with the intention of taking over the leadership of the country. The battle became so severe that France her colonial master could not rest to watch the rebels dislodging and making useless of the constituted government of Mal. Indeed, without much delay France swung into action to assist the Malian armies to fight the rebels.
The first strategy adopted by French troups was an air raid. The French jet fighters were let loose to bombard rebels strong holds and the captured cities. The French artilleries do not show any mercy on the rebels who do not see Mali as a sovereign state. The effort of French Soldiers in Mali made the rebels to issue warning of threat to French government that they will attack France. Even at that French soldiers did not pay any attention to the threat by the rebels they keep on bombarding rebels zone with heavy artilleries.
The rebels in the north are no longer strong to resist the sophisticated attacks by the French armies. There is a serious reinforcement of military personnel and ammunitions. The Malian government has won the heart of many sovereign nations around the world. For instance, the US and Great Britain have declared for the Malian government though they have not sent troups to the war torn country.
Nigeria, the giant of Africa is the first African country to send troups to Mali to reinforce the effort of the French soldiers already making progress. Just last week sixty five air force personnel were air lifted to Mali for the final onslaught. And Nigeria has pledged to send about one thousand troups to fight the dare devil rebels in Mali. The strategy of the countries to start with air raid against the rebels is sees as the best option.
Yes, there is report that the air strikes is destroying and killing innocent people. The rebels can not with stand strong air raids. And to start with, Nigeria is to start with air raid. The Nigerian military is one of the best in the world. And now that Nigerian military is involved it means the end of the rebels is at hand. It is obvious the rebels are fleeing their captured cities as they cannot launch any offensive as a result of the presence of French and Nigerian forces in Mali.
Hope is returning to Mali. And African countries are showing interest to support the Malian military. The rebels are no longer strong as they cannot operate in the air as a result lack of jet fighters and air space. The sovereignty of Mali is at stake if not the timely intention of the French and Nigerian soldiers. Nigeria is playing the big brother Africa for now. The rebels have no hiding place in Mali as they are fleeing to neighbouring countries for safety.
But what would have convinced the rebels to wage war against the government. The lodgment of heavy weapons by the rebels in Mali should be taken into consideration and proper investigation should be carried out to know the sponsors. And after thorough investigation the culprits should be brought to book to serve as deterrent to other intending rebels in Africa. Indeed, rebels attack is common in Africa.
African borders are porous that is why weapons are smuggled in, without any fear of arrest. It is time for every government to sit up to avoid the experience in Mali. In 2002, the Russian who manufactured AK47 riffle was lamenting about the way people use the riffle to kill their fellow humans on BBC radio. And the commonly used riffle by the rebels is AK47 riffle. AK47 riffle today is found everywhere in Africa. No wonder the Malian rebels were able to challenge the Malian soldiers in their initial effort. Thank God for French and Nigeria who have deployed their military contingents to stage sophisticated military onslaught against the rebels in Mali. Indeed, with the effort of French and Nigerian troups victory is assured for Malian government lead by Franco Bousisi. #####
Frank Eneawaji Ogwuonuonu
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