U.N. Approves 12,600 Strong Mali Peacekeeping Force

HT: Reuters

With the French and African (primarily Chadian) combat mission successfully concluded in war-torn Mali, which drove jihadist rebels into the mountain ranges and led to an uneasy peace between nationalists and separatist Tuareg groups, the U.N. Security Council has agreed to send a 12,600 force of peacekeepers to the restive nation.

The peacekeeping force is likely to absorb most of the African soldiers that fought alongside the French in turning back a jihadist insurgency that swallowed two-thirds of Mali into their hands and were preparing to push further towards what remained when the U.N. authorized foreign intervention in January.

Unsurprisingly, the U.N. Security Council also authorized the French - who are beginning the process of withdrawing their 4,000 strong combat forces to 1,000 by end of this year - to be able to intervene on the behalf of the peacekeeping force if they face imminent and serious danger in the process of their duties. Its just another step in France's shift towards becoming a significant player in the War on Terror.

Hopefully the peacekeeping force's only concerns will be overseeing the rebuilding of Mali and a long term deal between the national government and Tuareg organizations for a peaceful co-existence and the French intervention is the only that was needed.

What say you?